Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication bachelor's degree outcomes at Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY · Public · Federal field 0909

Data scope

Federal records group outcomes by college, four-digit field and credential level. A record may cover several catalog programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings trail the same-degree benchmark.

$9,721 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 46.4% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −61% · Negative payoff
Price evidence: College-wide context only

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+38%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$35,534 → $49,056

—Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

39Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

81Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

81Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

$20,284Awarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

9Recent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$10,990

Institution-wide annual average net price—not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$25,000

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$53,839

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$265/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

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AVERAGE NET PRICE$10,990Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$24,188Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE93.9%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE55.6%Institution-wide completion rate

WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$35,534Year 1

$53,839Year 4

$49,056Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

5.9% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$4,487

Estimated loan payment$265

81borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$53,839 vs. $63,560

$9,721 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median

WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for—not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.

Communications Teachers, Postsecondary$62,380 median wageKY estimate · 470 jobs · 25-1122+2.1% projected U.S. growth · 2.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreePublic Relations Specialists$60,150 median wageKY estimate · 2,580 jobs · 27-3031+1.8% projected U.S. growth · 23k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreePublic Relations Managers$112,320 median wageKY estimate · 510 jobs · 11-2032+5.7% projected U.S. growth · 6.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeFundraising Managers$124,770 median wageKY estimate · 210 jobs · 11-2033+5.4% projected U.S. growth · 3.7k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeAdvertising and Promotions Managers$107,030 median wageKY estimate · 230 jobs · 11-2011-3.7% projected U.S. growth · 2.3k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeFundraisers$68,270 median wageKY estimate · 1,030 jobs · 13-1131+5.5% projected U.S. growth · 10k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeNews Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists$47,530 median wageKY estimate · 370 jobs · 27-3023-5.9% projected U.S. growth · 3.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeHuman Resources Managers$121,460 median wageKY estimate · 1,960 jobs · 11-3121+5.5% projected U.S. growth · 16.8k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeTraining and Development Managers$112,750 median wageKY estimate · 460 jobs · 11-3131+6.4% projected U.S. growth · 4.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeAgents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes$82,890 median wageU.S. estimate · 40 jobs · 13-1011+9.7% projected U.S. growth · 2.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeTechnical Writers$81,070 median wageKY estimate · 340 jobs · 27-3042+0.8% projected U.S. growth · 3.2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeHealth Education Specialists$65,370 median wageKY estimate · 760 jobs · 21-1091+5.6% projected U.S. growth · 6.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degree

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