Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Washington State University

Washington State University's communications program outperforms nearly 90% of similar programs nationally—yet within Washington, it sits right in the middle of the pack. That paradox matters less than this: graduates leave with $20,500 in debt (well below both national and state medians) and earn $45,820 their first year out, creating one of the better debt-to-earnings ratios you'll find in this field. The 0.45 ratio means graduates owe less than half their first year's salary, making the monthly payments manageable even on entry-level PR or advertising wages.

The state percentile ranking deserves context. WSU essentially ties with Northwest University for top earnings among Washington programs, despite charging significantly less in debt. The 60th percentile reflects Washington's surprisingly strong communications market more than any weakness in the program itself—graduates here still earn $2,700 more than the national median and $6,000 more than the 75th percentile nationally.

For families concerned about the financial viability of a communications degree, this program delivers the formula that matters: competitive starting salaries with notably lower debt burden. The robust sample size confirms these aren't outlier results. It's a practical entry point into PR and advertising that won't require years of financial catch-up.