DegreeCalc

Communication Studies Degree in Amarillo, TX — Salary & ROI 2026

Communication Studies degree analysis for Amarillo, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$56K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$78K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

4 yrs

in Amarillo

Cost of Living

108

index (100 = avg)

Communication Studies in Amarillo, TX Overview

Amarillo, Texas (pop. 200,393) has 14 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,096/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Amarillo is approximately $56,160.

Category

Social Science

Local Colleges

14

Public Tuition

$9,030/yr

Private Tuition

$43,100/yr

Room & Board

$9,166/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$15,360/yr

Unemployment

4.7%

Graduation Rate

66%

Communication Studies Salary in Amarillo (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Amarillo's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$56,160(+$4,160 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$77,760(+$5,760 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$102,600(+$7,600 vs national)

Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Amarillo adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.

Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Amarillo

Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Amarillo tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $9,030 | Private avg: $43,100

Amarillo avg aid: $15,360/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$72,784

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$18,360

vs HS diploma in Amarillo

ROI Payback Period

4 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Amarillo

$791,216

Lifetime earnings premium ($864,000) minus total education cost ($72,784)

Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Amarillo

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$72,784
Monthly Payment$826
Total Interest$26,390
% of Monthly Income18%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$72,784
Monthly Payment$1,424
Total Interest$12,662
Interest Savings$13,728

Colleges in Amarillo for Communication Studies

West Texas A&M University

public

$9,030/yr

$36,120 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Amarillo College

$2,604/yr

Top Employers for Communication Studies in Amarillo

Amarillo offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:

PR firmsMedia companiesCorporate commsNonprofits

Key Amarillo Hiring Sectors for Social Science

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Communication Studies Job Titles

Communications ManagerPR SpecialistMedia Planner

Other Social Science Majors in Amarillo

Communication Studies Degree in Amarillo — 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 Communication Studies ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Amarillo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators