Communication Studies Degree in Glendale, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies degree analysis for Glendale, AZ. 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
5.9 yrs
in Glendale
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Glendale, AZ Overview
Glendale, Arizona (pop. 248,325) has 16 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 105 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,370/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Glendale is approximately $54,600.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$12,652/yr
Private Tuition
$44,500/yr
Room & Board
$13,685/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,168/yr
Unemployment
4.8%
Graduation Rate
53%
Communication Studies Salary in Glendale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Glendale's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Glendale adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Glendale
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Glendale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,652 | Private avg: $44,500
Glendale avg aid: $14,168/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,348
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,850
vs HS diploma in Glendale
ROI Payback Period
5.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Glendale
$734,652
Lifetime earnings premium ($840,000) minus total education cost ($105,348)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Glendale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Glendale for Communication Studies
Midwestern University
private
$44,500/yr
$178,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Glendale Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Communication Studies in Glendale
Glendale offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Glendale Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Communication Studies Job Titles
Communication Studies in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$79K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$60K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$57K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$64K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$62K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$66K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$54K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$59K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Social Science Majors in Glendale
Communication Studies Degree in Glendale — 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 Glendale.