DegreeCalc

Communication Studies Degree in Fontana, CA — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$55K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$76K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.7 yrs

in Fontana

Cost of Living

106

index (100 = avg)

Communication Studies in Fontana, CA Overview

Fontana, California (pop. 214,547) has 18 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 106 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,423/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Fontana is approximately $55,120.

Category

Social Science

Local Colleges

18

Public Tuition

$11,333/yr

Private Tuition

$38,840/yr

Room & Board

$18,944/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$11,336/yr

Unemployment

3.4%

Graduation Rate

61%

Communication Studies Salary in Fontana (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Fontana's cost of living index of 106 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,120(+$3,120 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$76,320(+$4,320 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$100,700(+$5,700 vs national)

Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Fontana adjustment factor: 1.06x based on the local cost of living index.

Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Fontana

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

Public avg: $11,333 | Private avg: $38,840

Fontana avg aid: $11,336/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$121,108

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$18,020

vs HS diploma in Fontana

ROI Payback Period

6.7 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Fontana

$726,892

Lifetime earnings premium ($848,000) minus total education cost ($121,108)

Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Fontana

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$121,108
Monthly Payment$1,375
Total Interest$43,911
% of Monthly Income30%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$121,108
Monthly Payment$2,370
Total Interest$21,069
Interest Savings$22,842

Colleges in Fontana for Communication Studies

California Baptist University Fontana

private

$38,840/yr

$155,360 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Chaffey College

$1,540/yr

Top Employers for Communication Studies in Fontana

Fontana 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 Fontana 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 Fontana

Communication Studies Degree in Fontana — 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 Fontana.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators