Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at West Texas A & M University

The modest sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift considerably, but the pattern they suggest is worth examining. West Texas A&M's PR and advertising program shows graduates earning $35,658 their first year—below both the Texas median ($41,363) and the national average ($39,794). Within Texas, this lands at the 40th percentile, meaning most comparable programs in the state deliver higher starting salaries. The gap is particularly stark when you compare to UT Austin ($47,972) or even nearby public options like UT Arlington ($41,703).

The financial equation isn't entirely bleak: debt loads are reasonable at $21,419, creating a manageable 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio, and graduates do see earnings climb 26% by year four. For students already committed to staying in the Panhandle region where cost of living runs lower, these numbers might work. But if your child has admission options at larger Texas public universities—where PR and advertising programs typically deliver $5,000-$12,000 more in starting salary—the career launch advantage likely outweighs any modest tuition differences. The earnings gap doesn't narrow over time; it compounds over a career.