Communication Studies Degree in Minneapolis, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies degree analysis for Minneapolis, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$50K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$70K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Minneapolis
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Minneapolis, MN Overview
Minneapolis, Minnesota (pop. 429,954) has 15 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 97 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $805/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Minneapolis is approximately $50,440.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
15
Public Tuition
$15,142/yr
Private Tuition
$45,823/yr
Room & Board
$12,394/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,033/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
61%
Communication Studies Salary in Minneapolis (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Minneapolis's cost of living index of 97 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Minneapolis adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Minneapolis
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Minneapolis tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,142 | Private avg: $45,823
Minneapolis avg aid: $14,033/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$110,144
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,490
vs HS diploma in Minneapolis
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Minneapolis
$665,856
Lifetime earnings premium ($776,000) minus total education cost ($110,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Minneapolis
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Minneapolis for Communication Studies
University of Minnesota
public
$15,142/yr
$60,568 total
University of St. Thomas
private
$49,716/yr
$198,864 total
Augsburg University
private
$41,930/yr
$167,720 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Minneapolis College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Communication Studies in Minneapolis
Minneapolis offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Minneapolis Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Communication Studies Job Titles
Communication Studies in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Saint Paul, MN
$53K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$56K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$55K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Duluth, MN
$52K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$52K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$51K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$56K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$56K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Social Science Majors in Minneapolis
Communication Studies Degree in Minneapolis — 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 Minneapolis.