Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Fort Hays State University

A debt load around $23,000 against first-year earnings near $40,000 creates a manageable starting point—similar communication programs nationally suggest graduates typically earn enough to handle their loans without severe strain. That 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio falls comfortably within the acceptable range for a bachelor's degree, particularly in a field where career growth often depends more on portfolio and networking than starting salary alone.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With both earnings and debt figures estimated from national peers rather than Fort Hays State's actual outcomes, parents are essentially betting that this program performs like the typical communication bachelor's degree nationwide. That's not unreasonable—FHSU's 92% admission rate and broad accessibility suggest it serves students much like other regional public universities—but it does mean you lack program-specific evidence of job placement success or debt management. Kansas has eight schools offering this major, yet none report sufficient data for comparison, which speaks to how thinly spread enrollment is across these programs.

For families considering this path: the estimated numbers suggest a financially viable degree if your student actually enters PR, advertising, or corporate communications. But communication majors often struggle with underemployment in unrelated fields where those skills carry less value. Before committing, push Fort Hays State for concrete placement data—where do their grads actually work, and how many land relevant positions within six months? Without that confirmation, you're trusting that this program will match national norms rather than fall below them.