Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
Communication & Journalism
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $44,556 | $31,473 to $59,628 | 11 | 55% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $60,608 | $53,003 to $67,850 | 204 | 96% |
| Master's Degree | $77,547 | $61,526 to $88,382 | 39 | 100% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +4% (2023 to 2033), about 157,000 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training and Development Specialists | $64,340 | +10.8% | 43,900 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $66,750 | +4.8% | 27,600 |
| Human Resources Managers | $136,350 | +5% | 17,900 |
| Fundraisers | $64,160 | +4.3% | 10,200 |
| Editors | $75,020 | +0.6% | 9,800 |
| Health Education Specialists | $62,860 | +4.5% | 7,900 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, so this lists where the major commonly leads, not any one graduate's job.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.