Communication Studies Degree in Moreno Valley, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies degree analysis for Moreno Valley, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$84K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.1 yrs
in Moreno Valley
Cost of Living
116
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Moreno Valley, CA Overview
Moreno Valley is one of California's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 16,700. Public tuition averages $1,540/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 Moreno Valley is approximately $60,320.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
23
Public Tuition
$1,540/yr
Private Tuition
$49,569/yr
Room & Board
$13,649/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,124/yr
Unemployment
6.1%
Graduation Rate
51%
Communication Studies Salary in Moreno Valley (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Moreno Valley's cost of living index of 116 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Moreno Valley adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Moreno Valley
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Moreno Valley tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $1,540 | Private avg: $49,569
Moreno Valley avg aid: $9,124/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$60,756
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,720
vs HS diploma in Moreno Valley
ROI Payback Period
3.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Moreno Valley
$867,244
Lifetime earnings premium ($928,000) minus total education cost ($60,756)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Moreno Valley
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Moreno Valley for Communication Studies
Riverside University Health System
public
$1,540/yr
$6,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Moreno Valley College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Communication Studies in Moreno Valley
Moreno Valley offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Moreno Valley Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Communication Studies Job Titles
Communication Studies in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$73K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$73K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$67K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$59K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$61K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$58K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$60K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$69K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Social Science Majors in Moreno Valley
Communication Studies Degree in Moreno Valley — 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 Moreno Valley.