Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Lee University

Lee University graduates in this field are earning $33,162 their first year—roughly $6,600 below both the national and Tennessee medians for communications programs. More concerning, they're trailing the state's top programs by $9,000 or more annually. Among Tennessee's 11 communications programs, Lee ranks at just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of similar in-state options produce better outcomes. The minimal earnings growth (just $525 over four years) suggests graduates aren't building momentum in their careers the way you'd hope.

The bright spot here is manageable debt. At $27,000, it's slightly above the national median but reasonable given the earnings. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81 means graduates should be able to handle payments, even if they're stretched thin initially. This isn't a debt trap scenario—it's more a question of whether the career trajectory justifies four years of college investment when earnings are starting below $35,000 and staying there.

For Tennessee families, University of Tennessee-Knoxville or University of Memphis offer significantly stronger earnings potential in the same field, likely at comparable in-state tuition. Unless Lee offers unique value through its Christian mission or campus experience that matters to your family, the data suggests looking at alternatives that better position graduates for financial stability in communications careers.