Public Relations & Advertising at Lewis University

Romeoville, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
27
Optimistic
26
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,202/yr (-38% vs median)
AI Risk High (51% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (161,400 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #182 of 183 Public Relations & Advertising programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Public Relations & Advertising graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $360K $375K $380K
Earnings Multiple 2.4x 2.5x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 62% 55% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 26 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$151,528
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,480
52% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $24,202/yr fall 38% below the $39,349 national median for Public Relations & Advertising. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The financial case is thin at 2.5x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 -6% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #182 of 183 Public Relations & Advertising programs, Lewis University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Lewis University

Lewis University has a 73% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 3,665 students in Romeoville, IL. The average net cost of $73,480 over four years represents a 52% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Lewis University →

Top Career Paths

Human resources managers $140,030/yr
Public relations managers $138,520/yr
Training and development managers $127,090/yr
View all 17 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Public Relations & Advertising at Other Schools

Other Majors at Lewis University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Relations & Advertising at Lewis University?
A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Public Relations & Advertising. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $380,086 in decade earnings vs $360,156 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Public Relations & Advertising from Lewis University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Is Lewis University a hidden gem for Public Relations & Advertising?
After financial aid, the average student pays $73,480 over four years — 52% below the $151,528 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →