Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Oakland University

Oakland University's communications program lands right in the middle of the pack—literally matching the state median for earnings and sitting just above the national average. While graduates earn $40,299 in their first year, that trails the state's top programs by about $5,000 annually. Michigan State leads at $45,158, but Oakland holds its own against larger competitors like Wayne State and Central Michigan. The debt load of $24,975 is reasonable, creating a 0.62 ratio that's manageable for an entry-level communications salary.

The catch here is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates reported data, so these numbers could swing considerably with a larger cohort. That said, what we see suggests a program that delivers predictable, middle-market outcomes for Michigan communications students. You're not getting the premium that Michigan State commands, but you're also avoiding the financial risk of programs with worse debt-to-earnings ratios.

For parents, this looks like a steady choice if your student wants to stay in Michigan and work in PR or advertising. The debt is modest enough that graduates won't struggle with payments, and earnings align with what you'd expect for this field. Just know you're paying for reliable over exceptional—which, given Oakland's 70% admission rate and the practicality of the communications field, may be exactly what makes sense.