Public Relations & Advertising at Illinois Media School

Chicago, IL · Private for-profit · Certificate · Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

a compact campus enrolling 36 students in Chicago, IL.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $21,902/yr, roughly in line with the $22,548 national median for Public Relations & Advertising. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Some AI exposure exists in Public Relations & Advertising's career paths, with 51% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $21,902 far exceeding the $10,666 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #3 of 10 Public Relations & Advertising programs, Illinois Media School scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Public Relations & Advertising offers 9 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

44 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
38
Low End
44
Score
47
High End
Earnings $21,902/yr (-3% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (49% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (161,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$229K
1.0% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$10,666
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings

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 →

Public Relations & Advertising Career Guide

What can you do with a Public Relations & Advertising credential from Illinois Media School? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Public Relations & Advertising career guide →

Compare & Explore

Public Relations & Advertising Overview

Public Relations & Advertising at Other Schools

Other Majors at Illinois Media School

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Public Relations & Advertising at Illinois Media School?
At 44/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Public Relations & Advertising programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How vulnerable is Public Relations & Advertising to AI automation?
Our scenarios model 51% of Public Relations & Advertising tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Illinois Media School's 44/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Public Relations & Advertising graduates?
If Illinois Media School's tuition gives you pause, consider that 9 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Public Relations & Advertising. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the job market like for Public Relations & Advertising from Illinois Media School?
The career paths mapped to Public Relations & Advertising have roughly 161,400 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →