Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Lehigh University

A selective private institution like Lehigh—with a 29% admission rate and average SAT of 1432—typically commands premium outcomes, yet comparable communications programs in Pennsylvania suggest first-year earnings around $36,600. That's actually below both the national median for this field ($39,800) and what graduates from Temple and Duquesne are earning. The estimated $26,500 in debt yields a manageable 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio, but the combination of Lehigh's selectivity and likely higher total cost of attendance raises questions about relative value when peer programs in the state are producing similar starting salaries.

The competitive landscape matters here. Programs at less selective Pennsylvania schools are generating comparable estimated outcomes—Susquehanna and York College graduates start around the same $36,600 figure. If these estimates hold for Lehigh, families are essentially paying private university tuition for entry-level earnings that match far less expensive alternatives. The debt figure itself isn't alarming, but it may not capture the full financial picture for families not receiving significant need-based aid, particularly given that only 18% of Lehigh students receive Pell grants.

Before committing to Lehigh for communications, get concrete placement data directly from the department—where recent graduates actually landed jobs and at what salaries. The small cohort size that triggered data suppression means outcomes could vary significantly from these state-wide estimates, for better or worse. If the school can't provide compelling evidence of premium career outcomes, this program's value proposition becomes harder to justify.