Public Relations & Advertising at Boise State University

Boise, ID · Public · Certificate · Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

With 84% of applicants admitted, Boise State University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 17,081 in Boise, ID.

Program Analysis

Boise State University Public Relations & Advertising graduates command $43,876/yr out of the gate, well above the $22,548 national median. That 95% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

With a 76.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Public Relations & Advertising carry above-average AI exposure (51% of tasks). The 36% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At $22,248 against $43,876/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

At #1 of 10 programs, this Public Relations & Advertising program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

A 49% earnings increase from $43,876 to $65,309 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 9 apprenticeship pathways connected to Public Relations & Advertising reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

68 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
68
Score
71
High End
Earnings $43,876/yr (95% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (49% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (161,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$715K
10.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
81.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
17 of 17
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$8,782
Out-of-state: $26,976
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,248
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,309
49% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Public Relations & Advertising graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Human resources managers $140,030 +5.0% 52%
Public relations managers $138,520 +5.0% 45%
Training and development managers $127,090 +5.8% 50%
Human resources managers
$140,030
+5.0% growth 52% AI-proof
Public relations managers
$138,520
+5.0% growth 45% AI-proof
Training and development managers
$127,090
+5.8% growth 50% AI-proof

View all 17 career paths with full salary data →

About Public Relations & Advertising Careers

Your career will start on the front lines of shaping messages. As a public relations specialist, your day could involve writing a press release for a new product, pitching it to journalists you’ve built relationships with, and tracking media coverage using monitoring software. Alternatively, as a training and development specialist in a corporate office, you might design an online course for new employees or lead an in-person workshop to teach a new software system.

Read the full Public Relations & Advertising career guide →

Compare & Explore

Public Relations & Advertising Overview

Public Relations & Advertising at Other Schools

Other Majors at Boise State University

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Boise State University's Public Relations & Advertising program score?
A score of 68/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Public Relations & Advertising field.
Should I worry about AI if I study Public Relations & Advertising?
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.
Can I learn Public Relations & Advertising through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 9 registered apprenticeships connected to Public Relations & Advertising occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Public Relations & Advertising workers?
With approximately 161,400 annual openings across mapped careers, Public Relations & Advertising offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →