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Communication Studies Degree in Omaha, NE — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$45K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$63K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.7 yrs

in Omaha

Cost of Living

87

index (100 = avg)

Communication Studies in Omaha, NE Overview

Omaha is one of Nebraska's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 33,866. Public tuition averages $8,268/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 Omaha is approximately $45,240.

Category

Social Science

Local Colleges

23

Public Tuition

$8,268/yr

Private Tuition

$26,461/yr

Room & Board

$12,792/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$11,593/yr

Unemployment

5.6%

Graduation Rate

56%

Communication Studies Salary in Omaha (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Omaha's cost of living index of 87 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$45,240($-6,760 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$62,640($-9,360 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$82,650($-12,350 vs national)

Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Omaha adjustment factor: 0.87x based on the local cost of living index.

Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Omaha

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

Public avg: $8,268 | Private avg: $26,461

Omaha avg aid: $11,593/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$84,240

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$14,790

vs HS diploma in Omaha

ROI Payback Period

5.7 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Omaha

$611,760

Lifetime earnings premium ($696,000) minus total education cost ($84,240)

Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Omaha

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$84,240
Monthly Payment$957
Total Interest$30,543
% of Monthly Income25%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$84,240
Monthly Payment$1,648
Total Interest$14,655
Interest Savings$15,888

Colleges in Omaha for Communication Studies

University of Nebraska at Omaha

public

$8,268/yr

$33,072 total

Creighton University

private

$44,146/yr

$176,584 total

Bellevue University

private

$8,775/yr

$35,100 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Metropolitan Community College Omaha

$3,540/yr

Top Employers for Communication Studies in Omaha

Omaha 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 Omaha 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 Omaha

Communication Studies Degree in Omaha — 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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