DegreeCalc

Communication Studies Degree in Laredo, TX — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$47K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$65K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

4.6 yrs

in Laredo

Cost of Living

90

index (100 = avg)

Communication Studies in Laredo, TX Overview

Laredo, Texas (pop. 255,305) has 14 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 90 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $982/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Laredo is approximately $46,800.

Category

Social Science

Local Colleges

14

Public Tuition

$7,850/yr

Private Tuition

$40,249/yr

Room & Board

$9,561/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$9,889/yr

Unemployment

5.8%

Graduation Rate

60%

Communication Studies Salary in Laredo (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Laredo's cost of living index of 90 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$46,800($-5,200 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$64,800($-7,200 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$85,500($-9,500 vs national)

Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Laredo adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.

Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Laredo

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

Public avg: $7,850 | Private avg: $40,249

Laredo avg aid: $9,889/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$69,644

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$15,300

vs HS diploma in Laredo

ROI Payback Period

4.6 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Laredo

$650,356

Lifetime earnings premium ($720,000) minus total education cost ($69,644)

Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Laredo

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$69,644
Monthly Payment$791
Total Interest$25,251
% of Monthly Income20%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$69,644
Monthly Payment$1,363
Total Interest$12,116
Interest Savings$13,135

Colleges in Laredo for Communication Studies

Texas A&M International University

public

$7,850/yr

$31,400 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Laredo College

$2,604/yr

Top Employers for Communication Studies in Laredo

Laredo 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 Laredo 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 Laredo

Communication Studies Degree in Laredo — 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 Laredo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators