Communication Studies Degree in Greensboro, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies degree analysis for Greensboro, NC. 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
4.7 yrs
in Greensboro
Cost of Living
91
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Greensboro, NC Overview
Greensboro, North Carolina (pop. 299,035) has 17 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 91 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $945/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Greensboro is approximately $47,320.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
17
Public Tuition
$7,000/yr
Private Tuition
$35,007/yr
Room & Board
$11,140/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,503/yr
Unemployment
4.9%
Graduation Rate
71%
Communication Studies Salary in Greensboro (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Greensboro'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.Greensboro adjustment factor: 0.91x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Greensboro
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Greensboro tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,000 | Private avg: $35,007
Greensboro avg aid: $14,503/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$72,560
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,470
vs HS diploma in Greensboro
ROI Payback Period
4.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Greensboro
$655,440
Lifetime earnings premium ($728,000) minus total education cost ($72,560)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Greensboro
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Greensboro for Communication Studies
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
public
$7,337/yr
$29,348 total
North Carolina A&T State University
public
$6,662/yr
$26,648 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Guilford Technical Community College
$2,864/yr
Top Employers for Communication Studies in Greensboro
Greensboro offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Greensboro Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Communication Studies Job Titles
Communication Studies in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
$46K starting · COL 89
39 colleges
Raleigh, NC
$43K starting · COL 83
21 colleges
Durham, NC
$57K starting · COL 109
25 colleges
Winston-Salem, NC
$55K starting · COL 106
26 colleges
Fayetteville, NC
$47K starting · COL 90
15 colleges
Cary, NC
$56K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Wilmington, NC
$49K starting · COL 95
5 colleges
High Point, NC
$44K starting · COL 84.5
5 colleges
Other Social Science Majors in Greensboro
Communication Studies Degree in Greensboro — 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 Greensboro.