Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at University of Southern Indiana

University of Southern Indiana's communications program starts graduates at just $34,736—well below both the Indiana state median ($38,860) and national average ($39,794), placing it in the 20th percentile nationally. That's roughly $13,000 less than what Indiana Wesleyan graduates earn in their first year. However, the earnings trajectory tells a more promising story: by year four, median earnings jump 37% to $47,647, surpassing the state median and putting graduates ahead of where many peers will be.

The debt load of $25,270 is reasonable, creating a manageable 0.73 ratio to first-year earnings that should allow most graduates to make steady progress on repayment even during that lower-earning initial period. For families concerned about cost, USI's 95% admission rate and accessibility make it a viable option for students who might struggle to get into higher-ranked programs.

The key question is whether your child can weather those first few years of below-market earnings while building the experience that drives later gains. If they're entering with other financial support or can live at home in Evansville initially, this program offers a path to competitive mid-career earnings. But students counting on immediate financial independence after graduation should understand they'll likely be earning $5,000-$10,000 less than peers at Indiana's top programs during that critical launch period.