Compare 62 Advertising. programs in the South. Average earnings: $45,967.
With top graduates earning $75,287, Advertising stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $29K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
American University's Advertising program leads with graduates earning $75,287, followed by George Washington University at $73,497. The regional pattern breaks expectations: these outcomes exceed the $45,967 average by significant margins, while Texas Christian University rounds out the top three at $66,005.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. George Washington University graduates borrow $20,449 and face just a 5.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Meanwhile, University of Florida offers the best family value with a 13.9% combined burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | American UniversityPrivate | $75,287 | 105 | $22,750 | Excellent | $39,169 | Manageable |
| #2 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $73,497 | 38 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Manageable |
| #3 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | $66,005 | 105 | $21,500 | Excellent | $54,925 | High |
| #4 | $65,345 | 567 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $65,215 | 98 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $64,730 | 87 | $20,654 | Excellent | $31,890 | Challenging | |
| #7 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $62,187 | 348 | $18,500 | Excellent | $20,855 | Manageable |
| #8 | University Of MiamiPrivate | $61,959 | 144 | $17,500 | Excellent | $37,267 | Challenging |
| #9 | University Of FloridaPublic | $58,636 | 394 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Manageable |
| #10 | The University Of TampaPrivate | $57,182 | 75 | $24,211 | Good | $53,549 | High |
| #11 | $54,570 | 243 | $21,500 | Good | $31,393 | Challenging | |
| #12 | $54,063 | 371 | $22,750 | Good | $48,666 | High | |
| #13 | Belmont UniversityPrivate | $53,117 | 28 | $20,500 | Good | $72,092 | High |
| #14 | $51,859 | 114 | $20,500 | Good | $30,610 | High | |
| #15 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $51,556 | 262 | $21,500 | Good | $23,443 | Challenging |
| #16 | University Of KentuckyPublic | $51,501 | 153 | $22,500 | Good | $30,006 | High |
| #17 | Lynn UniversityPrivate | $51,425 | 16 | $17,940 | Good | $47,538 | High |
| #18 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $51,387 | 86 | $21,000 | Good | $43,605 | High |
| #19 | $51,274 | 122 | $20,500 | Good | $38,513 | High | |
| #20 | Florida State UniversityPublic | $51,082 | 109 | $18,000 | Good | $17,000 | Challenging |
| #21 | Texas State UniversityPublic | $50,780 | 315 | $21,000 | Good | $22,500 | Challenging |
| #22 | Wingate UniversityPrivate | $50,211 | 31 | $25,000 | Manageable | $27,506 | High |
| #23 | Florida Southern CollegePrivate | $49,986 | 49 | $25,000 | Manageable | $33,294 | High |
| #24 | University Of HoustonPublic | $49,794 | 154 | $18,194 | Good | $18,072 | Challenging |
| #25 | Harding UniversityPrivate | $47,237 | 27 | $26,500 | Manageable | $27,785 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
