Public Relations & Advertising at Benedict College

Columbia, SC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
29 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
30
Optimistic
29
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,891/yr (-32% vs median)
AI Risk High (51% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (161,400 openings/yr)
ROI 5.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #177 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 $379K $392K $392K
Earnings Multiple 5.3x 5.4x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 62% 55% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 29 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$72,000
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$71,124
1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$36,250
16.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,891/yr fall 32% below the $39,349 national median for Public Relations & Advertising. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

At 5.4x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 51% task exposure — and the -3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $36,250 debt load exceeds a year of the $26,891 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #177 out of 183 programs, Benedict College's financial outcomes for Public Relations & Advertising trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Benedict College

With a 67% acceptance rate, Benedict College is moderately selective, a smaller institution with 1,573 students in Columbia, SC. 63% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Benedict College →

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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Explore the Trade Alternative

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 Benedict College's Public Relations & Advertising program score?
This program scores 29/100 — on the lower end for Public Relations & Advertising. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Benedict College Public Relations & Advertising graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.3x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
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.
Why are Public Relations & Advertising earnings lower at Benedict College?
Lower starting pay at Benedict College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →