Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Northern Michigan University
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Northern Michigan University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Northern Michigan University graduates earn $34k, placing them in the 18th percentile of all public relations, advertising, and applied communication bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (23 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Michigan University | $34,319 | $43,199 | $25,676* | — |
| Michigan State University | $45,158 | $57,693 | $23,899* | 0.53 |
| Northwood University | $41,857 | $52,483 | $20,250* | 0.48 |
| Eastern Michigan University | $41,420 | $53,615 | $24,755* | 0.60 |
| Wayne State University | $41,306 | $52,584 | $27,000* | 0.65 |
| Central Michigan University | $40,346 | $51,494 | $27,000* | 0.67 |
| National Median | $39,794 | — | $24,625* | 0.62 |
Other Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Programs in Michigan
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Michigan schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University East Lansing | $15,988 | $45,158 | $23,899 |
| Northwood University Midland | $33,000 | $41,857 | $20,250 |
| Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti | $15,510 | $41,420 | $24,755 |
| Wayne State University Detroit | $14,297 | $41,306 | $27,000 |
| Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant | $14,190 | $40,346 | $27,000 |
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 Northern Michigan University, approximately 27% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 17 graduates with reported earnings and 18 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.