Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Southern Nazarene University

Based on what comparable Oklahoma programs reveal, a communications degree here appears to track with state norms but trails the national market by several thousand dollars. Similar programs in Oklahoma suggest first-year earnings around $36,400, roughly $3,400 below the national median for this major. That gap matters when you're carrying an estimated $25,800 in debt—though this debt level actually sits slightly above the national median for communications programs.

The 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would dedicate about 71% of their first-year salary to paying off loans entirely—manageable but not comfortable. What's concerning is the range within Oklahoma itself: OU graduates in this field start nearly $10,000 higher than the state median, suggesting that program quality and institutional connections significantly impact outcomes in communications. With 45% of Southern Nazarene students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on post-graduation earnings to justify the investment.

The real question is whether this program offers the networking, internship access, and portfolio-building opportunities that separate stronger communications programs from weaker ones. Since these figures are estimates based on peer institutions rather than actual graduate outcomes, you'd want to dig into placement rates, alumni networks in Oklahoma City's media and corporate sectors, and whether graduates are landing jobs that match their credentials. In a field where your first job often determines your trajectory, that initial earning power matters considerably.