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Communications · Public Relations & Advertising Rank #17 of 183

Public Relations & Advertisingat University of South Carolina-Columbia

Graduates earn $42,974/yr in their first year — about 9.0% above the national Public Relations & Advertising average. Base-case 10-year earnings $628K; scenarios range from $564K to $645K depending on AI disruption.

Columbia, SC Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
60 SOLID
61
Optimistic
58
Pessimistic
Earnings
$42,974
1-year post-graduation
ROI
12.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$628K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
53% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of South Carolina

Graduates earn $42,974/yr, edging above the $39,349 national average for Public Relations & Advertising — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

With a 12.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% 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 $22,990 against $42,974/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

At #17 of 183 programs, this Public Relations & Advertising program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $42,974-to-$66,664 earnings arc over five years reflects a 55% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$564K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple11.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$628K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score60/100
Earnings Multiple12.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$645K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score61/100
Earnings Multiple12.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of South Carolina's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Public Relations & Advertising graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Human resources managers
+5.0% 10-yr growth · 17,900 openings/yr
$140,030/yr
Moderate
2
Public relations managers
+5.0% 10-yr growth · 6,600 openings/yr
$138,520/yr
High
3
Training and development managers
+5.8% 10-yr growth · 3,800 openings/yr
$127,090/yr
High
4
Advertising and promotions managers
-2.2% 10-yr growth · 2,100 openings/yr
$126,960/yr
Moderate
5
Fundraising managers
+4.2% 10-yr growth · 3,600 openings/yr
$123,480/yr
High
6
Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 2,200 openings/yr
$96,310/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Public Relations & Advertising

How University of South Carolina stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Syracuse University
NY · Private nonprofit
56
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
2.3x
ROI
Southern Methodist University
TX · Private nonprofit
52
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
2.0x
ROI
Brigham Young University
UT · Private nonprofit
71
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
26.4x
ROI
Top score
Miami University-Hamilton
OH · Public
72
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
26.2x
ROI
Miami University-Middletown
OH · Public
72
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
26.2x
ROI
Also at University of South Carolina

Other top programs at University of South Carolina

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of South Carolina, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Public Relations & Advertising offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Public Relations & Advertising trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Public Relations & Advertising at University of South Carolina

What does a 60/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Public Relations & Advertising at University of South Carolina-Columbia?

At 60/100, University of South Carolina-Columbia'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 University of South Carolina-Columbia?

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.