Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global

Indiana Wesleyan's communications program places graduates at the very top nationally, with first-year earnings of $48,225 ranking at the 95th percentile—outperforming 95% of similar programs across the country. While debt figures are estimates based on comparable programs at the institution (around $27,000), they align closely with both state and national medians for this field. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 means graduates would owe roughly seven months of their first-year salary, which is manageable territory for a bachelor's degree.

What makes this outcome particularly striking is how dramatically it exceeds typical communications earnings. The national median for this degree sits at just under $40,000, meaning Indiana Wesleyan grads start with over $8,000 more annually. Even within Indiana, where this campus leads the pack among all reporting schools, it's delivering outcomes well above state norms. For a program serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (48%), these earnings represent genuine economic mobility.

The caveat: since debt figures are estimated rather than reported for this specific cohort, the actual borrowing experience of recent graduates could vary. But given the strong earnings performance and debt estimates drawn from similar programs at this institution, the fundamentals suggest a program that's delivering real value in a field where many graduates struggle to launch financially viable careers immediately after graduation.