Public Relations & Advertising at Montana State University Billings

Billings, MT · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
52
Optimistic
51
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,666/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (51% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (161,400 openings/yr)
ROI 17.6x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #65 of 183 Public Relations & Advertising programs Top 50%

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 $469K $472K $451K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.5x 17.6x 16.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.5x 5.3x
Probability of Field Employment 62% 55% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 52 51 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$26,824
Out-of-state: $85,388 (5.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,176
-124% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,000
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $39,666/yr, Public Relations & Advertising graduates from Montana State University Billings land near the $39,349 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 17.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 4% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Public Relations & Advertising career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $16,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #65 ranking among 183 Public Relations & Advertising programs places Montana State University Billings in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

About Montana State University Billings

a smaller institution with 2,710 students in Billings, MT.

See all programs and financial aid at Montana State University Billings →

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 Montana State University Billings

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 does a 51/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Public Relations & Advertising at Montana State University Billings?
At 51/100, Montana State University Billings's Public Relations & Advertising program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Public Relations & Advertising at Montana State University Billings?
The 51% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →