DegreeCalc

Public Relations Degree in Lawton, OK — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$41K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$59K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.8 yrs

in Lawton

Cost of Living

82.5

index (100 = avg)

Public Relations in Lawton, OK Overview

While Lawton has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Public Relations students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,675/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 Lawton is approximately $41,250.

Category

Communications

Local Colleges

4

Public Tuition

$8,400/yr

Private Tuition

$24,000/yr

Room & Board

$12,675/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$11,482/yr

Unemployment

3.5%

Graduation Rate

74%

Public Relations Salary in Lawton (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Lawton's cost of living index of 82.5 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$41,250($-8,750 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$59,400($-12,600 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$75,900($-16,100 vs national)

Note: National average Public Relations salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $92,000 senior level.Lawton adjustment factor: 0.82x based on the local cost of living index.

Public Relations ROI Calculator for Lawton

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

Public avg: $8,400 | Private avg: $24,000

Lawton avg aid: $11,482/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$84,300

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$12,375

vs HS diploma in Lawton

ROI Payback Period

6.8 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Lawton

$262,200

Lifetime earnings premium ($346,500) minus total education cost ($84,300)

Student Loan Payoff for Public Relations in Lawton

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$84,300
Monthly Payment$957
Total Interest$30,565
% of Monthly Income28%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$84,300
Monthly Payment$1,649
Total Interest$14,666
Interest Savings$15,900

Colleges in Lawton for Public Relations

Lawton State University

public

$9,205/yr

$36,820 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Lawton Community College

$4,912/yr

Top Employers for Public Relations in Lawton

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

EdelmanWeber ShandwickFleishmanHillardBCWOgilvy

Key Lawton 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 Lawton — 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 Lawton.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators