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Public Relations & Advertising at Otterbein University

Westerville, OH · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,430/yr (-5% vs median)

AI Risk High (51% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (161,400 openings/yr)

ROI 4.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #121 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	$642K	$625K	$562K
Earnings Multiple	4.6x	4.5x	4.0x
Probability of Field Employment	62%	55%	40%
DegreeOutlook Score	44	43	45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$139,596

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$88,560

37% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,500

6.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$63,902

71% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $37,430 track close to the $39,349 national median for Public Relations & Advertising programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

At 4.5x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Public Relations & Advertising career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $20,500 against $37,430/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #121 ranking among 183 Public Relations & Advertising programs places Otterbein University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $37,430-to-$63,902 earnings arc over five years reflects a 71% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Otterbein University

Otterbein University has a 83% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 2,055 in Westerville, OH. After financial aid, the average student pays $88,560 over four years — 37% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Otterbein 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

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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 43/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Public Relations & Advertising at Otterbein University?

At 43/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Public Relations & Advertising programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Public Relations & Advertising at Otterbein University?

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 →