Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degree) at University of Florida-Online

Median Earnings (1yr)

$42,099

72nd percentile

60th percentile in Florida

Median Debt

$17,439

29% below national median

Analysis

UF Online's Public Relations program stands out for its exceptional debt management rather than sky-high earnings. With graduates carrying just $17,439 in debt—well below both the national median ($24,625) and Florida average ($18,375)—this program offers one of the cleanest financial profiles you'll find in communications.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story of professional growth. Starting salaries of $42,099 jump to $58,636 by year four, representing 39% growth that suggests graduates develop marketable skills that employers increasingly value. At 72nd percentile nationally and 60th percentile within Florida, the program performs solidly among its peers, matching elite University of Miami's outcomes while carrying significantly less debt burden.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 means graduates need less than five months of their starting salary to cover their total educational debt—an unusually favorable position in today's higher education landscape. For anxious parents, this combination of moderate debt and steady earning potential creates a lower-risk pathway into communications careers. While this isn't a program that produces immediate high earners, it positions graduates for sustainable career growth without the financial stress that often accompanies media and communications degrees.

Where University of Florida-Online Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all public relations, advertising, and applied communication bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How University of Florida-Online graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
University of Florida-Online	$42,099	$58,636	+39%
University of Miami	$43,917	$61,959	+41%
University of Florida	$42,099	$58,636	+39%
The University of Tampa	$36,977	$57,182	+55%
Florida State University	$41,060	$51,082	+24%

Compare to Similar Programs in Florida

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (23 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
University of Florida-OnlineGainesville	$3,876	$42,099	$58,636	$17,439	0.41
University of MiamiCoral Gables	$59,926	$43,917	$61,959	$18,000	0.41
University of FloridaGainesville	$6,381	$42,099	$58,636	$17,439	0.41
Florida State UniversityTallahassee	$5,656	$41,060	$51,082	$13,849	0.34
University of Central FloridaOrlando	$6,368	$37,388	$44,367	$18,750	0.50
The University of TampaTampa	$33,424	$36,977	$57,182	$25,000	0.68
National Median	—	$39,794	—	$24,625	0.62

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with public relations, advertising, and applied communication graduates

Advertising and Promotions Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.

$159,660/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Human Resources Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

$140,030/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Public Relations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.

$132,870/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fundraising Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

$132,870/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Training and Development Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.

$127,090/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Technical Writers

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

$91,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Editors

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

$75,260/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Public Relations Specialists

Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

$69,780/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fundraisers

Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.

$66,490/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Training and Development Specialists

Design or conduct work-related training and development programs to improve individual skills or organizational performance. May analyze organizational training needs or evaluate training effectiveness.

$65,850/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Health Education Specialists

Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.

$63,000/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

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 University of Florida-Online, approximately 20% 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 403 graduates with reported earnings and 322 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.