Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Lubbock Christian University
Bachelor's Degree
lcu.eduAnalysis
Based on similar programs across Texas, Lubbock Christian's communications degree appears to produce first-year earnings around $41,363 against an estimated $25,832 in debt. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 suggests graduates could realistically manage their loans—certainly better than many private Christian universities where debt often balloons past $30,000 or $40,000. The estimated earnings here match the Texas median exactly for this field, which means the program performs neither above nor below what's typical for communications degrees in the state.
The challenge is that Texas communications programs span an enormous range. While peer programs at schools like SMU and TCU produce first-year earnings above $48,000, Lubbock Christian sits closer to the middle of the pack with regional public universities. For a private institution charging private tuition, that positioning matters. The estimated $25,832 debt load, though manageable, exceeds the Texas median of $21,764 for this major—meaning students here may be borrowing slightly more than their counterparts at other schools to achieve similar early-career outcomes.
For families comparing options, the key question is whether Lubbock Christian's specific environment—a smaller Christian campus with different networking and mentorship opportunities—justifies potentially higher borrowing than nearby public alternatives. The estimated figures suggest this program won't lead to debt crisis, but neither does it appear to offer a clear earnings advantage that would make the private school premium an obvious financial win.
Where Lubbock Christian University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all public relations, advertising, and applied communication bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (24 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $27,298 | $41,363* | — | $25,832* | — | |
| $64,460 | $51,828* | $65,215 | $19,750* | 0.38 | |
| $57,220 | $48,053* | $66,005 | $24,148* | 0.50 | |
| $11,678 | $47,972* | $65,345 | $20,995* | 0.44 | |
| $9,711 | $42,472* | $49,794 | $23,800* | 0.56 | |
| $11,728 | $41,703* | $50,879 | $22,639* | 0.54 | |
| National Median | — | $39,794* | — | $24,625* | 0.62 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with public relations, advertising, and applied communication graduates
Advertising and Promotions Managers
Human Resources Managers
Public Relations Managers
Fundraising Managers
Training and Development Managers
Technical Writers
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
Editors
Public Relations Specialists
Fundraisers
Training and Development Specialists
Health Education Specialists
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Lubbock Christian University, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 10 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.