Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Lamar University

A $21,764 debt load—roughly $2,600 lower than the national median for communications programs—positions this program as relatively affordable in a field where graduates don't typically command premium salaries. Similar programs across Texas produce first-year earnings around $41,000, which puts these estimated figures just above the national median and aligns with what you'd see at larger state universities like UT Arlington and University of Houston.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 suggests manageable repayment, though communications degrees at any school require realistic expectations about starting salaries. Lamar serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (44%), and these estimated costs reflect that accessibility mission. While private universities like SMU and TCU show significantly higher earnings, they also carry substantially higher price tags that often offset the salary advantage.

For families focused on keeping debt low while pursuing a communications career, these estimates suggest a reasonable value proposition—especially if your student plans to stay in Texas, where the market appears relatively consistent across institutions. The real test will be internship quality and networking opportunities in the Houston-Beaumont corridor, factors that matter as much as the credential itself in this relationship-driven field.