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Public Relations & Advertising at University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $50,041/yr (27% vs median)

AI Risk High (51% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (161,400 openings/yr)

ROI 2.3x earnings multiple

Ranked #85 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	$657K	$638K	$571K
Earnings Multiple	2.4x	2.3x	2.1x
Probability of Field Employment	62%	55%	40%
DegreeOutlook Score	48	47	44

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$272,948

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$127,708

53% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,500

4.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$70,555

41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $50,041 put University of Southern California's Public Relations & Advertising program 27% above the national median of $39,349 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

At 2.3x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

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.

With first-year pay of $50,041 far exceeding the $19,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #85 ranking among 183 Public Relations & Advertising programs places University of Southern California in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 41% earnings increase from $50,041 to $70,555 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Southern California

University of Southern California's 10% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, with 20,817 students enrolled in Los Angeles, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern California →

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

Public Relations & Advertising at Other Schools

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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 does a 47/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Public Relations & Advertising at University of Southern California?

At 47/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Public Relations & Advertising programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Public Relations & Advertising at University of Southern California?

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.

What do students actually pay for Public Relations & Advertising at University of Southern California?

The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $272,948. At a net cost of $127,708, the earnings multiple improves substantially.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →