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).
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)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
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:
Key Amarillo Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Communication Studies Job Titles
Communication Studies in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$60K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$62K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$54K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$56K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$53K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$48K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$49K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$43K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
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.