Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Western Michigan University

Western Michigan's PR and advertising program starts below both state and national medians—graduates earn about $2,600 less than the typical Michigan grad in this field—but that 30% earnings jump to nearly $49,000 by year four tells a more optimistic story. Students are catching up, though they're starting from behind peers at Michigan State ($45,158) and most other Michigan programs. The $27,000 debt load is actually quite manageable, ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of similar programs leave students with more debt), which keeps the immediate financial pressure lower than at competing schools.

The challenge is whether that initial earnings gap matters for your family's situation. If your student can handle a tighter budget in those first couple years after graduation—perhaps living at home or taking on a roommate—the trajectory improves substantially. By year four, they're approaching typical starting salaries at competing programs, and they've done it with less debt. However, those first few years earning $37,700 in a communications field known for competitive entry-level markets could mean piecing together freelance work or accepting positions outside their preferred specialization.

This program works best for students who value lower debt and can afford patience in their early career development. The growth curve is there, but so is the initial lag behind Michigan's stronger programs.