Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication bachelor's degree programs in Illinois
Compare 10 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in Illinois
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign · $23,250 federal debt$83,4512DePaul UniversityChicago · $24,500 federal debt$71,0453Loyola University ChicagoChicago · $25,000 federal debt$68,9424Illinois State UniversityNormal · $22,500 federal debt$67,7525Columbia College ChicagoChicago · $26,000 federal debt$66,7986North Central CollegeNaperville · $26,899 federal debt$60,5737Lewis UniversityRomeoville · Debt not reported$59,9818Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston · $23,745 federal debt$59,4019Bradley UniversityPeoria · $26,819 federal debt$58,51510Olivet Nazarene UniversityBourbonnais · Debt not reported$56,435
CAREER CONTEXT IN IL
What related occupations pay in Illinois
These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.
25-1122Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $78,150
- Middle 50% wage range
- $53,860–$100,600
- State employment
- 1,580
- Projected growth
- +2.1%
- Annual openings
- 2,400
27-3031Public Relations Specialists
- State median wage
- $76,380
- Middle 50% wage range
- $59,400–$102,950
- State employment
- 6,200
- Projected growth
- +1.8%
- Annual openings
- 23,000
11-2032Public Relations Managers
- State median wage
- $131,990
- Middle 50% wage range
- $98,400–$169,640
- State employment
- 2,770
- Projected growth
- +5.7%
- Annual openings
- 6,100
11-2011Advertising and Promotions Managers
- State median wage
- $167,330
- Middle 50% wage range
- $121,480–$212,280
- State employment
- 160
- Projected growth
- -3.7%
- Annual openings
- 2,300
11-2033Fundraising Managers
- State median wage
- $106,290
- Middle 50% wage range
- $83,840–$132,430
- State employment
- 2,860
- Projected growth
- +5.4%
- Annual openings
- 3,700
13-1131Fundraisers
- State median wage
- $66,440
- Middle 50% wage range
- $52,850–$81,750
- State employment
- 4,470
- Projected growth
- +5.5%
- Annual openings
- 10,000
27-3023News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
- State median wage
- $60,590
- Middle 50% wage range
- $42,790–$86,060
- State employment
- 1,060
- Projected growth
- -5.9%
- Annual openings
- 3,400
11-3121Human Resources Managers
- State median wage
- $151,370
- Middle 50% wage range
- $114,940–$196,630
- State employment
- 13,520
- Projected growth
- +5.5%
- Annual openings
- 16,800
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in Illinois; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.
ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS
Compare every available outcome
Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.
| # | College | City | Median year-4 earnings | Median federal debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign | $83,451 | $23,250 |
| 2 | DePaul University | Chicago | $71,045 | $24,500 |
| 3 | Loyola University Chicago | Chicago | $68,942 | $25,000 |
| 4 | Illinois State University | Normal | $67,752 | $22,500 |
| 5 | Columbia College Chicago | Chicago | $66,798 | $26,000 |
| 6 | North Central College | Naperville | $60,573 | $26,899 |
| 7 | Lewis University | Romeoville | $59,981 | Not available |
| 8 | Eastern Illinois University | Charleston | $59,401 | $23,745 |
| 9 | Bradley University | Peoria | $58,515 | $26,819 |
| 10 | Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais | $56,435 | Not available |
This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.
A quick read on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication in Illinois
What do Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication bachelor's degree graduates earn in Illinois?
Across 10 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $60,573 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The median is $24,500 among the 8 programs reporting federal debt.
Which Illinois colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.