Communication Studies Degree in Baltimore, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies degree analysis for Baltimore, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$68K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$94K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.1 yrs
in Baltimore
Cost of Living
130
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Baltimore, MD Overview
Baltimore is one of Maryland's top college towns, with 22 institutions and a student population of 30,415. Public tuition averages $12,096/year here — near the national average for public universities. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Baltimore is approximately $67,600.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
22
Public Tuition
$12,096/yr
Private Tuition
$56,325/yr
Room & Board
$21,745/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,793/yr
Unemployment
6.3%
Graduation Rate
58%
Communication Studies Salary in Baltimore (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Baltimore's cost of living index of 130 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Baltimore adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Baltimore
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Baltimore tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,096 | Private avg: $56,325
Baltimore avg aid: $8,793/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$135,364
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$22,100
vs HS diploma in Baltimore
ROI Payback Period
6.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Baltimore
$904,636
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,040,000) minus total education cost ($135,364)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Baltimore
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Baltimore for Communication Studies
Johns Hopkins University
private
$60,480/yr
$241,920 total
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
public
$12,096/yr
$48,384 total
Loyola University Maryland
private
$52,170/yr
$208,680 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Baltimore City Community College
$3,768/yr
Top Employers for Communication Studies in Baltimore
Baltimore offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Baltimore Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Communication Studies Job Titles
Communication Studies in Nearby Maryland Cities
Columbia, MD
$66K starting · COL 127.2
4 colleges
Silver Spring, MD
$64K starting · COL 122.5
4 colleges
Frederick, MD
$59K starting · COL 112.5
4 colleges
Waldorf, MD
$63K starting · COL 120.7
4 colleges
Ellicott City, MD
$59K starting · COL 114.2
3 colleges
Glen Burnie, MD
$57K starting · COL 108.8
3 colleges
Rockville, MD
$67K starting · COL 128.5
3 colleges
Bethesda, MD
$61K starting · COL 116.7
3 colleges
Other Social Science Majors in Baltimore
Communication Studies Degree in Baltimore — 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 Baltimore.