Communication Studies Degree in Mobile, AL — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies degree analysis for Mobile, AL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$51K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$71K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.9 yrs
in Mobile
Cost of Living
98
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Mobile, AL Overview
Mobile, Alabama (pop. 187,041) has 12 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 98 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,083/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Mobile is approximately $50,960.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$11,100/yr
Private Tuition
$41,360/yr
Room & Board
$13,457/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,004/yr
Unemployment
5.2%
Graduation Rate
73%
Communication Studies Salary in Mobile (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Mobile's cost of living index of 98 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Mobile adjustment factor: 0.98x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Mobile
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Mobile tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,100 | Private avg: $41,360
Mobile avg aid: $12,004/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$98,228
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,660
vs HS diploma in Mobile
ROI Payback Period
5.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Mobile
$685,772
Lifetime earnings premium ($784,000) minus total education cost ($98,228)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Mobile
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Mobile for Communication Studies
University of South Alabama
public
$11,100/yr
$44,400 total
Spring Hill College
private
$41,360/yr
$165,440 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bishop State Community College
$4,800/yr
Top Employers for Communication Studies in Mobile
Mobile offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Mobile Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Communication Studies Job Titles
Communication Studies in Nearby Alabama Cities
Huntsville, AL
$51K starting · COL 98
21 colleges
Birmingham, AL
$46K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Montgomery, AL
$48K starting · COL 92
21 colleges
Tuscaloosa, AL
$41K starting · COL 78
8 colleges
Hoover, AL
$50K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Auburn, AL
$54K starting · COL 103
2 colleges
Dothan, AL
$43K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Decatur, AL
$43K starting · COL 82.8
3 colleges
Other Social Science Majors in Mobile
Communication Studies Degree in Mobile — 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 Mobile.