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

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

Starting Salary

$54K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$75K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.6 yrs

in McKinney

Cost of Living

104.8

index (100 = avg)

Communication Studies in McKinney, TX Overview

McKinney, Texas (pop. 199,177) has 8 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 104.8 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,140/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in McKinney is approximately $54,496.

Category

Social Science

Local Colleges

8

Public Tuition

$10,900/yr

Private Tuition

$36,000/yr

Room & Board

$13,870/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$11,814/yr

Unemployment

3.3%

Graduation Rate

59%

Communication Studies Salary in McKinney (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for McKinney's cost of living index of 104.8 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$54,496(+$2,496 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$75,456(+$3,456 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$99,560(+$4,560 vs national)

Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.McKinney adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.

Communication Studies ROI Calculator for McKinney

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

Public avg: $10,900 | Private avg: $36,000

McKinney avg aid: $11,814/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$99,080

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$17,816

vs HS diploma in McKinney

ROI Payback Period

5.6 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in McKinney

$739,320

Lifetime earnings premium ($838,400) minus total education cost ($99,080)

Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in McKinney

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$99,080
Monthly Payment$1,125
Total Interest$35,924
% of Monthly Income25%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$99,080
Monthly Payment$1,939
Total Interest$17,237
Interest Savings$18,687

Colleges in McKinney for Communication Studies

McKinney State University

public

$10,909/yr

$43,636 total

University of McKinney

public

$10,604/yr

$42,416 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

McKinney Community College

$5,398/yr

Top Employers for Communication Studies in McKinney

McKinney 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 McKinney 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 McKinney

Communication Studies Degree in McKinney — 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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Compare Communication Studies ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in McKinney.

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