Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Murray State University

Murray State's communications program lands squarely in the middle of Kentucky's offerings—earning the 60th percentile statewide despite modest first-year earnings of $38,054. More importantly, this program carries $22,250 in debt, which is roughly $2,000 less than both state and national medians. That 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can realistically manage their loans even in the notoriously uneven communications field, where entry-level salaries rarely impress.

The bigger question is growth potential. Four years out, earnings climb only 6% to $40,465, which underperforms both University of Kentucky ($45,275) and Northern Kentucky ($41,842) grads who likely benefit from stronger alumni networks in Louisville and Cincinnati. However, Murray beats half the state's programs while charging less debt than most, and the 86% admission rate means it's accessible to students who might not crack UK's door. For families prioritizing affordability in a competitive major, that calculation matters.

This works if your child understands they're trading marquee credentials for manageable debt in a field where internships and hustle often matter more than the diploma's name. But if they're aiming for corporate PR or advertising agency work in major markets, the stronger earnings trajectories at UK or NKU might justify the extra investment.