Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

University of Oklahoma stands out sharply in Oklahoma's communications landscape, with graduates earning $64,730 four years out—nearly 78% above the state median for this program. This isn't just a marginal advantage: OU ranks in the 80th percentile among Oklahoma programs and 88th percentile nationally, outperforming roughly 400 other schools. The $20,718 median debt sits comfortably below both state and national averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 that most communications programs can't match.

The 42% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates gain valuable skills and connections that translate into career advancement. Starting at $45,759—already above the national program median—graduates see their earnings climb steadily rather than plateau. For comparison, the next-best program in Oklahoma (University of Central Oklahoma) leaves its graduates earning $28,342 less at the four-year mark.

For parents weighing communications programs, this represents strong in-state value. Your child would graduate with manageable debt while gaining access to career outcomes that rival elite programs elsewhere, all at a school with a 77% admission rate that makes it realistically attainable. The combination of below-average debt and well-above-average earnings is exactly what you should look for in a communications degree.