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Communication Studies Degree in Jackson, MS — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$48K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$67K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.4 yrs

in Jackson

Cost of Living

93

index (100 = avg)

Communication Studies in Jackson, MS Overview

Jackson, Mississippi (pop. 153,701) has 11 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $855/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Jackson is approximately $48,360.

Category

Social Science

Local Colleges

11

Public Tuition

$8,684/yr

Private Tuition

$27,400/yr

Room & Board

$12,839/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$14,629/yr

Unemployment

4.6%

Graduation Rate

62%

Communication Studies Salary in Jackson (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Jackson's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$48,360($-3,640 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$66,960($-5,040 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$88,350($-6,650 vs national)

Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Jackson adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.

Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Jackson

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

Public avg: $8,684 | Private avg: $27,400

Jackson avg aid: $14,629/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$86,092

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$15,810

vs HS diploma in Jackson

ROI Payback Period

5.4 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Jackson

$657,908

Lifetime earnings premium ($744,000) minus total education cost ($86,092)

Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Jackson

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$86,092
Monthly Payment$978
Total Interest$31,215
% of Monthly Income24%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$86,092
Monthly Payment$1,684
Total Interest$14,977
Interest Savings$16,238

Colleges in Jackson for Communication Studies

Jackson State University

public

$8,684/yr

$34,736 total

Belhaven University

private

$27,400/yr

$109,600 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Hinds Community College

$3,300/yr

Top Employers for Communication Studies in Jackson

Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson

Communication Studies Degree in Jackson — 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.

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