Communication Studies Degree in Lincoln, NE — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies degree analysis for Lincoln, NE. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$61K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Lincoln
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Lincoln, NE Overview
Lincoln, Nebraska (pop. 291,082) has 9 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $867/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Lincoln is approximately $44,200.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$9,242/yr
Private Tuition
$36,730/yr
Room & Board
$10,611/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,317/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
57%
Communication Studies Salary in Lincoln (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lincoln's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Lincoln adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Lincoln
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Lincoln tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,242 | Private avg: $36,730
Lincoln avg aid: $13,317/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,412
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,450
vs HS diploma in Lincoln
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lincoln
$600,588
Lifetime earnings premium ($680,000) minus total education cost ($79,412)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Lincoln
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lincoln for Communication Studies
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
public
$9,242/yr
$36,968 total
Nebraska Wesleyan University
private
$36,730/yr
$146,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Southeast Community College
$3,540/yr
Top Employers for Communication Studies in Lincoln
Lincoln offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lincoln Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Communication Studies Job Titles
Communication Studies in Nearby Nebraska Cities
Other Social Science Majors in Lincoln
Communication Studies Degree in Lincoln — 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 Lincoln.