Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Gonzaga University

Gonzaga's Public Relations program starts below the average for Washington state but delivers something valuable: substantial income growth. While first-year earnings of $39,013 lag behind Washington's $43,092 median, graduates see a 61% salary increase by year four, reaching $62,725—well above what most competitors achieve at that stage. Among Washington's seven programs, this ranks only in the 40th percentile initially, but that trajectory suggests graduates develop skills that increasingly command higher pay.

The $26,000 debt load sits slightly above state and national averages, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 remains manageable, especially given the strong earnings growth. This appears to be a program where patience pays off—graduates who can navigate the lower starting salary eventually outpace their peers. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) provides reasonable confidence in these outcomes.

The key question is whether your child can weather those first few years at below-market salary. If they're financially prepared for a slower start and willing to invest in building experience, the four-year earnings picture looks considerably better than what most Washington PR programs deliver. If they need strong immediate earnings—particularly compared to Washington State's $45,820 starting salary—this might not be the right fit.