Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Holy Family University

Similar communications programs in Pennsylvania suggest first-year earnings around $36,600—roughly $3,000 below the national median for this field. With estimated debt of $26,500 based on comparable programs at Holy Family, graduates would face a monthly payment near $300, consuming about 10% of their take-home pay. That's manageable but leaves little room for error if entry-level positions come in lower or take time to secure.

The comparison to Pennsylvania's stronger programs is instructive. Temple and Duquesne graduates earn $4,000-5,000 more in their first year with similar debt loads, creating significantly more financial breathing room. Meanwhile, peer programs at Holy Family carry debt levels typical for private universities in the region, but without the corresponding salary premium that makes those debt loads easier to absorb. The 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio sits at a point where the investment works if everything goes smoothly—stable employment, living with family initially, no unexpected expenses—but offers limited cushion if the job market proves difficult.

For parents, the key question is whether Holy Family's smaller program environment and Philadelphia location provide advantages worth this financial profile. Since these figures are drawn from similar Pennsylvania programs rather than Holy Family's actual outcomes, you're making a decision with incomplete information. If your child has offers from Temple or other public options with reported data showing stronger earning patterns, those represent lower-risk choices.