Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other.: The DTI for this program is 61.8%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $38246) to the average debt ($23645) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 61.8%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($38246) against the typical student debt ($23645), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $38246, with grads carrying about $23645 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.62—which is manageable for most.
Each year, over 20666 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other (CIP 09.0999) is an interdisciplinary field that addresses the specialized ways organizations connect with their audiences. While traditional degrees might focus solely on a single aspect of marketing, this "Other" category is designed for programs that integrate behavioral psychology, data analytics, and digital media strategy to influence public opinion and consumer behavior.
This field is ideal for "strategic thinkers" who want to master the art of persuasion in a digital world. It is a path for individuals who want to understand the "why" behind human decisions and use that knowledge to build brands, manage crises, or launch global social movements.
What Is a Public Relations and Advertising (Other) Degree?
A Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Other) degree focuses on the strategic management of a brand's voice. Because it falls into the "Other" category, these programs often specialize in emerging niches such as neuromarketing, influencer relations, or algorithmic brand management. Unlike general communications, this major is highly applied, meaning students spend their time building actual campaigns and testing them against real-world data.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train professionals to coordinate complex messaging across multiple digital platforms
- Prepare specialists to manage "brand sentiment" in real-time during public emergencies
- Develop experts who can use data to predict how an audience will react to a specific message
- Explore the ethical implications of persuasive technology and targeted advertising
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that communication is not just about talking, but about listening to data and responding with precision.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Develop Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) plans that align PR, ads, and social media
- Conduct deep-dive market research using focus groups and digital sentiment analysis
- Use graphic design and video production tools to create persuasive content
- Manage paid media budgets to ensure the highest "Return on Investment" (ROI)
- Write high-stakes copy for everything from press releases to viral social threads
- Analyze "Key Performance Indicators" (KPIs) to prove the success of a campaign
Topics You May Explore
Coursework often blends business logic with creative exploration:
- Consumer Behavior: The psychological triggers that lead people to buy or believe.
- Crisis Communication: Strategies for protecting an organization's reputation when things go wrong.
- Digital Analytics: Learning to use Google Analytics and social listening tools.
- Media Planning and Buying: The logistics of where and when to place advertisements.
- Persuasion Theory: The classic and modern theories of how to move an audience to action.
- Creative Strategy: How to turn a business goal into a memorable artistic concept.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates are highly valued in any industry that needs to manage its public image or sell a product.
Common job roles include:
- Account Executive: Acting as the bridge between an advertising agency and its clients.
- Public Relations Manager: Managing the relationship between a company and the news media.
- Brand Strategist: Defining the "personality" and long-term goals of a brand.
- Social Media Director: Leading the team that manages a brand's digital community.
- Copywriter: Writing the catchy and persuasive text for ads and websites.
- Media Buyer: Negotiating and purchasing the space for ads on TV, web, and billboards.
Where Can You Work?
Opportunities exist in almost every sector, as every organization has a reputation to manage:
- Ad Agencies: Working on multiple client accounts at once.
- Corporate Marketing Departments: Working "in-house" for brands like Nike, Apple, or Coca-Cola.
- Non-Profit Organizations: Managing "cause marketing" and fundraising efforts.
- Political Consulting Firms: Crafting the image and message for candidates and policies.
- Entertainment and Sports: Managing the public image of athletes, actors, or teams.
How Much Can You Earn?
This field rewards results. Salaries start competitively and can scale quickly for those who manage large budgets or high-profile crises.
- Public Relations Specialists: Median annual salary of approximately $67,000.
- Advertising Managers: Median annual salary of around $138,000.
- Marketing Research Analysts: Median annual salary of approximately $73,000.
- Account Managers: Typically earn between $70,000 and $110,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty lies in the mental agility required. You must be a "cultural sponge," staying up-to-date on every trend, meme, and news story. It requires a high level of social intelligence and the ability to handle rejection—not every creative idea will be liked by a client. You must also be comfortable with data; modern communication is as much about spreadsheets as it is about stories.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Are fascinated by why certain things "go viral"
- Enjoy writing and creating visual content
- Are a "people person" who can convince others of your point of view
- Like fast-paced environments where no two days are the same
- Want a career that allows you to be both a business professional and a creative artist
How to Prepare in High School
- Take classes in Psychology, English, Economics, and Statistics
- Join the school newspaper or the marketing team for a school club
- Practice your writing by starting a blog or managing a themed social media account
- Watch advertisements critically—ask yourself "Who are they talking to and what do they want them to do?"
- Volunteer to help a local non-profit with their social media or event promotion
The ability to analyze a situation, identify an audience, and craft a message that moves them is the hallmark of a successful strategic communicator.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor