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Communications · Public Relations & Advertising Rank #35 of 183

Public Relations & Advertisingat Central Washington University

Graduates earn $40,976/yr in their first year — about 4.0% above the national Public Relations & Advertising average. Base-case 10-year earnings $545K; scenarios range from $504K to $552K depending on AI disruption.

Ellensburg, WA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
56 SOLID
57
Optimistic
56
Pessimistic
Earnings
$40,976
1-year post-graduation
ROI
14.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$545K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
53% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Central Washington University

At $40,976/yr, Public Relations & Advertising graduates from Central Washington University land near the $39,349 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Public Relations & Advertising programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Public Relations & Advertising's typical career paths, with 51% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $20,250 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #35 of 183 nationally, this is a top-5% Public Relations & Advertising program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $40,976 to $55,380 over five years — a 35% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$504K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple13.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$545K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple14.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$552K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple15.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Central Washington University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Public Relations & Advertising graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Human resources managers
+5.0% 10-yr growth · 17,900 openings/yr
$140,030/yr
Moderate
2
Public relations managers
+5.0% 10-yr growth · 6,600 openings/yr
$138,520/yr
High
3
Training and development managers
+5.8% 10-yr growth · 3,800 openings/yr
$127,090/yr
High
4
Advertising and promotions managers
-2.2% 10-yr growth · 2,100 openings/yr
$126,960/yr
Moderate
5
Fundraising managers
+4.2% 10-yr growth · 3,600 openings/yr
$123,480/yr
High
6
Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 2,200 openings/yr
$96,310/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Public Relations & Advertising

How Central Washington University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Syracuse University
NY · Private nonprofit
56
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
2.3x
ROI
Southern Methodist University
TX · Private nonprofit
52
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
2.0x
ROI
Brigham Young University
UT · Private nonprofit
71
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
26.4x
ROI
Top score
Miami University-Hamilton
OH · Public
72
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
26.2x
ROI
Miami University-Middletown
OH · Public
72
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
26.2x
ROI
Also at Central Washington University

Other top programs at Central Washington University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Central Washington University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Public Relations & Advertising offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Public Relations & Advertising trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Public Relations & Advertising at Central Washington University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Relations & Advertising at Central Washington University?

A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Public Relations & Advertising field.

Will AI replace Public Relations & Advertising careers?

With 51% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $503,696 in decade earnings vs $551,770 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Central Washington University's Public Relations & Advertising program stand out?

Ranked #35 of 183 programs nationally, Central Washington University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.