Best colleges for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication in California
Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the California programs in the federal field-of-study file, University of Southern California leads: its Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication graduates earn a median $87,946 four years after finishing, against the field's $63,560 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)
| # | College | Grad earnings, 4 yrs | Vs field median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California | $87,946 | +$24,386 |
| 2 | Pepperdine University | $81,417 | +$17,857 |
| 3 | University of San Francisco | $81,285 | +$17,725 |
| 4 | Chapman University | $80,139 | +$16,579 |
Frequently asked questions
Which California college is best for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication?
By graduate earnings, University of Southern California — its Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication bachelor's graduates earn a median $87,946 four years out, the highest of the 4 California programs in the federal file.
What do Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication graduates earn in California?
Across the ranked California programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $80,139 to $87,946. The field's national median is $63,560.
Is a Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication degree worth it?
On national medians, yes — Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication graduates earn $15,200/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. See the full field profile for payback math.