Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Mississippi Valley State University

The estimated $23,342 debt load for this communications degree appears manageable against comparable programs nationally, but the actual earnings trajectory tells a more complicated story. While peer programs across the country suggest first-year earnings around $39,800, graduates from this specific program reported making just $29,210 by year four—a troubling reversal that suggests earnings may actually decline rather than grow in the early career years.

This backward trajectory is unusual in communications fields, where professionals typically build portfolios and client relationships that boost income over time. The gap between what similar programs produce nationally and what this program's graduates actually earned four years out raises questions about career placement support, network strength, or the types of positions graduates secure. With 60% of students receiving Pell grants, many families are counting on this degree to deliver upward mobility, but earnings below $30,000 four years into a career make that difficult, even with relatively modest debt.

The debt-to-earnings picture looks reasonable on paper at 0.59, but that calculation uses estimated rather than actual first-year earnings. If the year-four figure of $29,210 better reflects this program's typical outcomes, you're looking at a much tighter financial picture. Before committing, find out where recent graduates actually work and what they earn—the specific placement record matters more here than national benchmarks for the major.