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Communication Studies Degree in Montgomery, AL — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$48K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$66K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.7 yrs

in Montgomery

Cost of Living

92

index (100 = avg)

Communication Studies in Montgomery, AL Overview

Montgomery is one of Alabama's top college towns, with 21 institutions and a student population of 17,419. Public tuition averages $10,814/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Montgomery is approximately $47,840.

Category

Social Science

Local Colleges

21

Public Tuition

$10,814/yr

Private Tuition

$29,622/yr

Room & Board

$11,372/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$7,044/yr

Unemployment

4.5%

Graduation Rate

46%

Communication Studies Salary in Montgomery (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Montgomery's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$47,840($-4,160 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$66,240($-5,760 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$87,400($-7,600 vs national)

Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Montgomery adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.

Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Montgomery

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

Public avg: $10,814 | Private avg: $29,622

Montgomery avg aid: $7,044/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$88,744

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$15,640

vs HS diploma in Montgomery

ROI Payback Period

5.7 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Montgomery

$647,256

Lifetime earnings premium ($736,000) minus total education cost ($88,744)

Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Montgomery

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$88,744
Monthly Payment$1,008
Total Interest$32,176
% of Monthly Income25%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$88,744
Monthly Payment$1,736
Total Interest$15,439
Interest Savings$16,738

Colleges in Montgomery for Communication Studies

Alabama State University

public

$11,068/yr

$44,272 total

Auburn University at Montgomery

public

$10,560/yr

$42,240 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Trenholm State Community College

$4,800/yr

Top Employers for Communication Studies in Montgomery

Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery

Communication Studies Degree in Montgomery — 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 Montgomery.

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