Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

Bachelor's degree · Columbia College Chicago · Chicago, IL

CIP 09.09

$39,794Median earnings 1 year after graduating
$66,798Median earnings 4 years after
$56,607Median earnings 5 years after
$24,225Median federal debt
27Graduates per year

How this program compares

Graduates of the bachelor's degree program in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $39,794 one year after completing the program. Nationally, bachelor's degree graduates in this field earn a median of $63,560 four years after graduating (middle half: $45,857–$83,689). Median debt is $24,225, about 61% of first-year earnings.

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's degree) at other Illinois schools

CollegeEarnings (1 yr)Median debt
North Central College
Naperville
$48,549$20,649
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign
$48,063$21,875
Illinois State University
Normal
$43,874$21,500
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago
$43,308$23,250
DePaul University
Chicago
$41,234$22,332
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston
$38,369$23,250
Bradley University
Peoria
$38,351$25,000
Lewis University
Romeoville
$24,202—

Highest-paying Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication programs nationwide →

Other programs at Columbia College Chicago

Frequently asked questions

How much do Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication graduates from Columbia College Chicago make?

The median salary is $39,794 one year after graduation and $56,607 after five years.

How much student debt do graduates have?

Graduates who borrowed federal loans owe a median of $24,225.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release (Field of Study data). Earnings are for graduates who received federal financial aid.