Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Wesleyan College
Bachelor's Degree
wesleyancollege.eduAnalysis
Based on comparable communications programs in Georgia, this degree appears to follow fairly typical patterns for the field—estimated first-year earnings around $38,555 land right at the state median, with estimated debt of $25,832 tracking close to what similar programs nationally report. The 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment, roughly equivalent to two-thirds of first-year salary spread across the standard ten-year loan term. However, it's worth noting that Georgia's larger public universities produce notably stronger outcomes in this major: University of Georgia graduates earn about $7,000 more annually, and even Kennesaw State shows a meaningful advantage.
The challenge here isn't the debt load, which appears reasonable—it's the ceiling. Communications and PR roles can vary dramatically in earning potential depending on market access and employer networks, and Wesleyan's smaller scale (evidenced by the suppressed data) means fewer direct data points about graduate trajectories. With 44% of students receiving Pell grants, the college serves many families where loan repayment flexibility matters considerably. A $300-350 monthly loan payment on $38,000-$39,000 in earnings is doable but leaves little margin for error.
If your child is committed to communications work and values Wesleyan's environment, the numbers don't rule it out—but given the estimated figures and the stronger documented outcomes at Georgia's flagship institutions, you'd want concrete evidence of internship pipelines and job placement support before committing to private college tuition for this particular field.
Where Wesleyan College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all public relations, advertising, and applied communication bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (13 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $27,650 | $38,555* | — | $25,832* | — | |
| $11,180 | $45,326* | $62,187 | $21,787* | 0.48 | |
| $5,786 | $41,460* | — | $26,000* | 0.63 | |
| $5,905 | $35,649* | $47,021 | $25,000* | 0.70 | |
| $3,283 | $29,594* | — | —* | — | |
| 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
Human Resources Managers
Public Relations Managers
Fundraising Managers
Training and Development Managers
Technical Writers
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
Editors
Public Relations Specialists
Fundraisers
Training and Development Specialists
Health Education Specialists
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 Wesleyan College, approximately 44% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in GA. Actual outcomes may vary.