Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Lake Superior State University

Based on comparable communications programs in Michigan, this bachelor's degree appears to track right in the middle of the pack—estimated first-year earnings around $40,300 against roughly $25,700 in debt. That 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment, though it's worth noting that larger state universities with reported outcomes (like Michigan State at $45,000) show graduates earning about $5,000 more annually in their first year. The difference isn't enormous, but over time it compounds.

What complicates the picture here is that we're working entirely from estimates derived from peer programs across Michigan—Lake Superior State's small graduate cohorts mean the Department of Education suppresses the actual figures. While the estimated numbers align closely with both state and national medians for this major (nationally it's about $39,800), you're essentially betting on this small Upper Peninsula campus delivering outcomes similar to much larger programs downstate. The 29% Pell grant rate suggests the school serves students who may be particularly debt-sensitive.

For families weighing this option, the key question is whether Lake Superior State's smaller setting and location offer advantages that offset the uncertainty. If your student thrives in close-knit environments and the U.P. appeals, the projected debt load won't be crushing. But if outcomes matter most, consider requesting job placement data directly from the program—and compare closely with Michigan State or Central Michigan, where you'd know exactly what graduates actually earned.