Communication Studies Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of human communication processes, media, and their effects on society.
Starting Salary
$52K
median
Mid-Career
$72K
salary
ROI Payback
4 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
4%
rate
Communication Studies Overview
Study of human communication processes, media, and their effects on society.
Category
Social Science
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
78%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
5%
Lifetime Premium
$800K
Female Graduates
60%
Communication Studies Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$15,750
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$15,750
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$784,250
Lifetime earnings premium ($800,000) minus net degree cost ($15,750)
Communication Studies Salary Progression
Common Communication Studies Careers
Communications Manager
PR Specialist
Media Planner
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Communication Studies
#1
Northwestern
#2
USC
#3
NYU
#4
University of Texas
#5
Ohio State
Communication Studies Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
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