Communication Studies Degree in Kansas City, MO — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies degree analysis for Kansas City, MO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$68K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.7 yrs
in Kansas City
Cost of Living
94
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Kansas City, MO Overview
Kansas City is one of Missouri's top college towns, with 44 institutions and a student population of 48,810. Public tuition averages $11,602/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Kansas City is approximately $48,880.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
44
Public Tuition
$11,602/yr
Private Tuition
$28,175/yr
Room & Board
$11,026/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,485/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
45%
Communication Studies Salary in Kansas City (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Kansas City's cost of living index of 94 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Kansas City adjustment factor: 0.94x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Kansas City
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Kansas City tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,602 | Private avg: $28,175
Kansas City avg aid: $15,485/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$90,512
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,980
vs HS diploma in Kansas City
ROI Payback Period
5.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Kansas City
$661,488
Lifetime earnings premium ($752,000) minus total education cost ($90,512)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Kansas City
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Kansas City for Communication Studies
University of Missouri-Kansas City
public
$11,602/yr
$46,408 total
Rockhurst University
private
$42,960/yr
$171,840 total
Park University
private
$13,390/yr
$53,560 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Metropolitan Community College
$3,900/yr
Top Employers for Communication Studies in Kansas City
Kansas City offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Kansas City Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Communication Studies Job Titles
Communication Studies in Nearby Missouri Cities
St. Louis, MO
$50K starting · COL 97
23 colleges
Springfield, MO
$42K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Columbia, MO
$44K starting · COL 84
10 colleges
Independence, MO
$45K starting · COL 85.8
5 colleges
Lee's Summit, MO
$50K starting · COL 95.5
4 colleges
OFallon, MO
$45K starting · COL 87.3
4 colleges
St. Joseph, MO
$47K starting · COL 90.4
3 colleges
St. Charles, MO
$43K starting · COL 83.4
3 colleges
Other Social Science Majors in Kansas City
Communication Studies Degree in Kansas City — 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 Kansas City.