Public Relations & Advertising at University of Akron Main Campus

Akron, OH · 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
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,396/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk High (51% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (161,400 openings/yr)
ROI 10.3x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #66 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 $532K $527K $491K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.4x 10.3x 9.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.7x 7.6x 7.1x
Probability of Field Employment 62% 55% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 52 51 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,196
Out-of-state: $68,956 (7.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,924
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,965
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,071
28% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $41,396 per year, Public Relations & Advertising graduates from University of Akron Main Campus earn slightly above the $39,349 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 10.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 51% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,965 debt-to-$41,396 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #66 out of 183 programs, University of Akron Main Campus's Public Relations & Advertising offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $41,396 to $53,071 shows 28% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Akron Main Campus

With 71% of applicants admitted, University of Akron Main Campus prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 10,011 in Akron, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Akron Main Campus →

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

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Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Akron Main Campus's Public Relations & Advertising program score?
This program scores 51/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Public Relations & Advertising graduates.
How vulnerable is Public Relations & Advertising to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Public Relations & Advertising careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 51% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →