Public Relations Degree in Chattanooga, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Public Relations degree analysis for Chattanooga, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$40K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$58K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.3 yrs
in Chattanooga
Cost of Living
80
index (100 = avg)
Public Relations in Chattanooga, TN Overview
While Chattanooga has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Public Relations students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,210/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Public Relations enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Media Relations and Crisis Communication. The adjusted starting salary in Chattanooga is approximately $40,000.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$9,648/yr
Private Tuition
$39,466/yr
Room & Board
$12,210/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,310/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
50%
Public Relations Salary in Chattanooga (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Chattanooga's cost of living index of 80 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Public Relations salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $92,000 senior level.Chattanooga adjustment factor: 0.80x based on the local cost of living index.
Public Relations ROI Calculator for Chattanooga
Estimate your return on investment for a Public Relations degree using local Chattanooga tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,648 | Private avg: $39,466
Chattanooga avg aid: $9,310/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,432
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,000
vs HS diploma in Chattanooga
ROI Payback Period
7.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Chattanooga
$248,568
Lifetime earnings premium ($336,000) minus total education cost ($87,432)
Student Loan Payoff for Public Relations in Chattanooga
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Chattanooga for Public Relations
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
public
$9,648/yr
$38,592 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chattanooga State Community College
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Public Relations in Chattanooga
Chattanooga offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Public Relations graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Chattanooga Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Public Relations Job Titles
Public Relations in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$46K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$47K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$43K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$45K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$46K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Franklin, TN
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Jackson, TN
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$53K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Chattanooga
Public Relations Degree in Chattanooga — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Public Relations ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Chattanooga.