Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at McKendree University

McKendree's communications program carries an estimated $26,000 in debt—slightly above both the national and Illinois medians for this field—while first-year earnings based on comparable Illinois programs hover around $41,234. That debt load translates to a 0.63 ratio against estimated starting pay, which sits right at the state median but trails stronger Illinois programs like North Central College and U of I by $7,000 or more annually.

The challenge here is that communications fields are notoriously competitive and relationship-driven, where alumni networks and internship pipelines matter enormously. McKendree, a smaller private school in southern Illinois, may not command the same employer connections as programs in Chicago or Champaign-Urbana. Similar programs across Illinois suggest graduates enter the field earning enough to manage the debt—monthly payments would run roughly $290 on a standard repayment plan—but there's little room for missteps or career pivots in those early years.

Before committing, push the school for concrete placement data: where do their grads actually work, and what connections exist with agencies or corporations? If McKendree can't demonstrate strong internship partnerships or a track record placing students in competitive entry-level roles, that $26,000 price tag becomes harder to justify when larger state schools produce similar outcomes at lower cost.