Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at University of Central Arkansas

University of Central Arkansas graduates in this field start at $35,000—about $5,000 below the national median for communications programs—but there's an interesting silver lining. While this program ranks only in the 22nd percentile nationally, it sits at the 60th percentile among Arkansas programs, outearning UCA's only in-state competitor that reported data. With just six programs in the state and limited options, this becomes a more competitive choice locally than the national numbers suggest.

The $22,800 debt load is manageable at 0.65 times first-year earnings, meaning graduates could theoretically pay it off in eight months if they devoted their entire salary to it. More realistically, the 19% earnings bump to $41,800 by year four shows steady career progression that makes the debt serviceable. For Arkansas families, particularly those at schools with 90% admission rates, this represents accessible professional training without crushing financial burden.

The practical reality: if your child wants to stay in Arkansas and work in communications or PR, UCA provides a reasonable path. If they're aiming for major markets or national agencies where starting salaries are significantly higher, they'll be competing at a disadvantage against graduates from programs with stronger placement records. The investment pencils out, but career ambitions should drive the decision more than the financials alone.