Communication Studies Degree in Rancho Cucamonga, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies degree analysis for Rancho Cucamonga, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$68K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$94K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.6 yrs
in Rancho Cucamonga
Cost of Living
130.5
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Rancho Cucamonga, CA Overview
Rancho Cucamonga, California (pop. 177,603) has 7 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 130.5 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,770/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Rancho Cucamonga is approximately $67,860.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$16,368/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,696/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
50%
Communication Studies Salary in Rancho Cucamonga (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Rancho Cucamonga's cost of living index of 130.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Rancho Cucamonga adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Rancho Cucamonga
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Rancho Cucamonga tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Rancho Cucamonga avg aid: $13,696/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$123,472
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$22,185
vs HS diploma in Rancho Cucamonga
ROI Payback Period
5.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Rancho Cucamonga
$920,528
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,044,000) minus total education cost ($123,472)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Rancho Cucamonga
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Rancho Cucamonga for Communication Studies
Rancho Cucamonga State University
public
$14,832/yr
$59,328 total
University of Rancho Cucamonga
public
$15,603/yr
$62,412 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rancho Cucamonga Community College
$6,383/yr
Top Employers for Communication Studies in Rancho Cucamonga
Rancho Cucamonga offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Rancho Cucamonga 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 Rancho Cucamonga
Communication Studies Degree in Rancho Cucamonga — 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 Rancho Cucamonga.