Public Relations & Advertising at Manhattan College

Riverdale, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
27
Optimistic
26
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,502/yr (-33% vs median)
AI Risk High (51% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (161,400 openings/yr)
ROI 1.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #183 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 $376K $389K $391K
Earnings Multiple 1.9x 1.9x 1.9x
Probability of Field Employment 62% 55% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 26 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$203,400
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$107,524
47% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
9.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$61,402
132% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,502/yr fall 33% below the $39,349 national median for Public Relations & Advertising. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The financial case is thin at 1.9x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Public Relations & Advertising's typical career paths, with 51% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a -4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,500 represents roughly 10 months of the $26,502 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #183 of 183 Public Relations & Advertising programs, Manhattan College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Manhattan College

Manhattan College has a 78% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 2,928 in Riverdale, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $107,524 over four years — 47% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Manhattan 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Relations & Advertising at Manhattan College?
A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Public Relations & Advertising. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Public Relations & Advertising careers?
With 51% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $390,561 in decade earnings vs $376,393 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Public Relations & Advertising from Manhattan College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →