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

UCF's communications program graduates earn about $6,000 less their first year than the national median, but there's an important Florida-specific context here: within the state, this program ranks in the 60th percentile, actually outperforming the Florida median of $36,000. The first-year salary of $37,388 reflects Orlando's competitive communications market more than program weakness. What really stands out is the debt load—graduates leave with $18,750, nearly $6,000 below the national median and right at Florida's average. That creates a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio and positions graduates reasonably well for career entry.

The 19% earnings growth to $44,367 by year four shows typical career progression for the field, though it still lags behind Florida's powerhouse programs like UF and FSU (both above $42,000). For parents concerned about ROI, the key advantage here is controlled debt rather than exceptional starting salaries. Your child will earn slightly below what communications grads make nationally, but they'll do so with significantly less financial burden than peers at many comparable programs.

If your student is committed to communications and planning to work in Florida—where UCF's network and reputation are strong—this program offers reasonable value. The debt load is genuinely manageable, which matters more than many families realize in fields where starting salaries typically hover in the mid-to-high $30,000s.