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

Communications programs nationwide report first-year earnings around $40,000, and Wichita State's program appears to track with that national pattern. The estimated $23,342 in debt—slightly below the national median for this major—translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59, which means graduates would owe roughly seven months of their first year's salary. That's a manageable starting point, though communications careers often require hustle and networking to advance beyond entry-level pay.

The challenge with communications degrees generally isn't the initial debt load but the career trajectory. These fields reward talent, persistence, and connections more than credentials alone. Similar programs nationally produce graduates earning $40,000-$42,000 in year one, but that range doesn't capture the wide variation between those who land agency jobs in major markets versus those piecing together freelance work or settling into corporate communications roles in smaller cities. Wichita's lower cost of living could work in graduates' favor, making that $40,000 stretch further than it would in Kansas City or Denver.

For parents, the key question is whether your student has the drive and personality to thrive in competitive, relationship-driven fields. The estimated debt picture suggests this program won't create crushing financial pressure, but it also won't provide the higher starting salaries that quickly erase student loans. If your student is entrepreneurial and comfortable with uncertainty, this debt level leaves room to take career risks. If they need predictable paychecks and clear advancement paths, they should understand that communications requires building your own opportunities.