Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at University of Idaho

The University of Idaho's communications program sits squarely in the middle for this field nationally—graduates earn slightly less than the typical program ($38,136 versus $39,794 first-year), though they carry roughly average debt at $26,000. What's more interesting is the in-state picture: with only four Idaho schools offering this degree, U of I's graduates land at the state median, meaning half of Idaho communications programs produce lower earnings. For families committed to staying in Idaho, this represents the baseline outcome you can expect.

The debt load here is actually encouraging—at 68% of first-year earnings, graduates face a manageable repayment burden. Most financial aid experts suggest keeping this ratio below 1.0, so borrowers here should be able to handle their payments while building careers. The 15% earnings growth over four years is solid, taking graduates from $38,000 to nearly $44,000, which suggests employers value the experience these alumni gain.

The real question is whether these numbers work for your family's specific situation. Communications careers often start modestly but can branch into well-paying specialties—corporate communications, digital marketing, public affairs. If your child has clear career goals and networking opportunities, or if they're receiving significant financial aid that reduces that $26,000 debt figure, this program can work. But families taking on the full cost should understand they're paying for a middle-of-the-pack outcome in a field where starting salaries rarely impress on paper.