Communication Studies Degree in Lexington, KY — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies degree analysis for Lexington, KY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$77K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Lexington
Cost of Living
107
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Lexington, KY Overview
Lexington, Kentucky (pop. 322,570) has 14 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 107 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,265/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Lexington is approximately $55,640.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,360/yr
Private Tuition
$42,200/yr
Room & Board
$10,700/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,397/yr
Unemployment
6.4%
Graduation Rate
65%
Communication Studies Salary in Lexington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lexington's cost of living index of 107 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Lexington adjustment factor: 1.07x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Lexington
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Lexington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,360 | Private avg: $42,200
Lexington avg aid: $8,397/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,240
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,190
vs HS diploma in Lexington
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lexington
$763,760
Lifetime earnings premium ($856,000) minus total education cost ($92,240)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Lexington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lexington for Communication Studies
University of Kentucky
public
$12,360/yr
$49,440 total
Transylvania University
private
$42,200/yr
$168,800 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
$4,680/yr
Top Employers for Communication Studies in Lexington
Lexington offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lexington Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Communication Studies Job Titles
Communication Studies in Nearby Kentucky Cities
Other Social Science Majors in Lexington
Communication Studies Degree in Lexington — 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 Lexington.