Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Fontbonne University

Similar communications programs in Missouri suggest first-year earnings around $38,000 for this bachelor's degree—below what graduates from Webster University and several state universities report earning. While the estimated debt load of $23,250 falls slightly under the state median, it still represents more than seven months of first-year earnings, a meaningful burden when starting a career in communications or PR.

The 95% admission rate and the fact that nearly half of students receive Pell grants indicate Fontbonne serves many students with financial need. For these families, the gap between this program's estimated outcomes and what peer Missouri schools actually report matters considerably. Programs at Missouri State and Southeast Missouri State, for instance, show graduates earning $2,000-$4,000 more annually while carrying similar debt—a difference that compounds over years of loan repayment.

The challenge here is that all the figures are estimates based on comparable programs, not Fontbonne's actual graduate outcomes. Before committing, contact Fontbonne's career services directly and ask about placement rates, typical employers, and starting salaries for recent communications graduates. If they can't provide concrete data about where their graduates land and what they earn, that uncertainty becomes part of your calculation. For a field where internships and local connections often matter more than prestige, you need evidence that this specific program delivers on its promise.