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Public Relations Degree in Jackson, MS — Salary & ROI 2026

Public Relations degree analysis for Jackson, MS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$47K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$67K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.2 yrs

in Jackson

Cost of Living

93

index (100 = avg)

Public Relations in Jackson, MS Overview

Jackson, Mississippi (pop. 153,701) has 11 colleges offering Public Relations programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $855/month. Public Relations enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Media Relations and Crisis Communication. The adjusted starting salary in Jackson is approximately $46,500.

Category

Communications

Local Colleges

11

Public Tuition

$8,684/yr

Private Tuition

$27,400/yr

Room & Board

$12,839/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$14,629/yr

Unemployment

4.6%

Graduation Rate

62%

Public Relations Salary in Jackson (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Jackson's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$46,500($-3,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$66,960($-5,040 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$85,560($-6,440 vs national)

Note: National average Public Relations salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $92,000 senior level.Jackson adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.

Public Relations ROI Calculator for Jackson

Estimate your return on investment for a Public Relations degree using local Jackson tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $8,684 | Private avg: $27,400

Jackson avg aid: $14,629/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$86,092

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$13,950

vs HS diploma in Jackson

ROI Payback Period

6.2 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Jackson

$304,508

Lifetime earnings premium ($390,600) minus total education cost ($86,092)

Student Loan Payoff for Public Relations in Jackson

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$86,092
Monthly Payment$978
Total Interest$31,215
% of Monthly Income25%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$86,092
Monthly Payment$1,684
Total Interest$14,977
Interest Savings$16,238

Colleges in Jackson for Public Relations

Jackson State University

public

$8,684/yr

$34,736 total

Belhaven University

private

$27,400/yr

$109,600 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Hinds Community College

$3,300/yr

Top Employers for Public Relations in Jackson

Jackson offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Public Relations graduates. National top employers in this field include:

EdelmanWeber ShandwickFleishmanHillardBCWOgilvy

Key Jackson Hiring Sectors for Communications

Media companies

PR agencies

Tech companies

Marketing firms

Publishing

Common Public Relations Job Titles

PR SpecialistCommunications ManagerMedia Relations Director

Public Relations Degree in Jackson — 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.

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Compare Public Relations ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Jackson.

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