Communication Studies Degree in Honolulu, HI — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies degree analysis for Honolulu, HI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$63K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$87K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Honolulu
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Honolulu, HI Overview
Honolulu, Hawaii (pop. 350,964) has 12 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 121 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,330/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Honolulu is approximately $62,920.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$12,186/yr
Private Tuition
$27,060/yr
Room & Board
$12,570/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,299/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
54%
Communication Studies Salary in Honolulu (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Honolulu's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Honolulu adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Honolulu
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Honolulu tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,186 | Private avg: $27,060
Honolulu avg aid: $12,299/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$99,024
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$20,570
vs HS diploma in Honolulu
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Honolulu
$868,976
Lifetime earnings premium ($968,000) minus total education cost ($99,024)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Honolulu
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Honolulu for Communication Studies
University of Hawaii at Manoa
public
$12,186/yr
$48,744 total
Chaminade University of Honolulu
private
$27,060/yr
$108,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Honolulu Community College
$3,432/yr
Top Employers for Communication Studies in Honolulu
Honolulu offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Honolulu Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Communication Studies Job Titles
Other Social Science Majors in Honolulu
Communication Studies Degree in Honolulu — 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 Honolulu.