Communication Studies Degree in Chesapeake, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies degree analysis for Chesapeake, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$66K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Chesapeake
Cost of Living
91
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Chesapeake, VA Overview
Chesapeake, Virginia (pop. 249,422) has 12 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 91 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $850/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Chesapeake is approximately $47,320.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$11,558/yr
Private Tuition
$19,500/yr
Room & Board
$9,787/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,853/yr
Unemployment
3.8%
Graduation Rate
67%
Communication Studies Salary in Chesapeake (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Chesapeake's cost of living index of 91 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Chesapeake adjustment factor: 0.91x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Chesapeake
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Chesapeake tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,558 | Private avg: $19,500
Chesapeake avg aid: $9,853/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$85,380
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,470
vs HS diploma in Chesapeake
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Chesapeake
$642,620
Lifetime earnings premium ($728,000) minus total education cost ($85,380)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Chesapeake
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Chesapeake for Communication Studies
South University Virginia Beach
private
$19,500/yr
$78,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tidewater Community College Chesapeake
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Communication Studies in Chesapeake
Chesapeake offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Chesapeake Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Communication Studies Job Titles
Communication Studies in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$46K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Arlington, VA
$74K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$48K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$52K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$48K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$53K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$50K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$46K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Social Science Majors in Chesapeake
Communication Studies Degree in Chesapeake — 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 Chesapeake.