Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale

Similar communications programs in Florida suggest first-year earnings around $36,000 for this bachelor's degree—squarely at the state median but trailing the national benchmark by nearly $4,000. The estimated $24,063 in debt produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67, which falls in a manageable range but isn't exceptional. For context, top Florida programs like University of Miami and UF launch graduates into $42,000-43,000 starting salaries, creating a significant $6,000-7,000 earnings gap that compounds over time.

The challenge here is paying private university prices—Keiser's estimated debt exceeds the Florida median of $18,375—for outcomes that peer programs across the state typically produce. With 58% of students on Pell grants, many families here are price-sensitive, yet the debt load sits 30% above what similar Florida programs carry. While the debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming, you're essentially betting on estimated figures derived from other schools rather than a proven track record at this institution.

Given the lack of specific outcome data for Keiser's program and the earnings gap compared to public universities, this represents a higher-risk investment. If communications is the goal, Florida's public options deliver comparable or better estimated outcomes with substantially less debt, making them the safer financial choice until Keiser can demonstrate its specific graduates perform differently than the state average suggests.