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

Program Analysis

While the career paths listed are impressive, the data suggests graduates from this program aren't landing those senior-level management roles right out of college. Instead, you'll likely be competing for entry-level coordinator and assistant positions in the hyper-competitive Chicago media market. Without the strong alumni networks or direct recruiting pipelines of larger, more established city programs, breaking into top agencies downtown can be a significant uphill battle. The high AI risk also signals that foundational roles in this field are vulnerable to automation, making a strong, specialized skillset more critical than ever. Your key move here is to hustle for internships. Before you even graduate, you need multiple, high-quality experiences in downtown Chicago agencies or corporate communication departments to build a portfolio and network that can overcome the program's limited placement power.

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

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 →