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Communication Studies Degree in Salt Lake City, UT — Salary & ROI 2026

Communication Studies degree analysis for Salt Lake City, UT. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$58K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$81K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.7 yrs

in Salt Lake City

Cost of Living

112

index (100 = avg)

Communication Studies in Salt Lake City, UT Overview

While Salt Lake City has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Communication Studies students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $17,800/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Salt Lake City is approximately $58,240.

Category

Social Science

Local Colleges

5

Public Tuition

$9,222/yr

Private Tuition

$38,396/yr

Room & Board

$17,800/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$10,636/yr

Unemployment

6%

Graduation Rate

52%

Communication Studies Salary in Salt Lake City (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Salt Lake City's cost of living index of 112 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,240(+$6,240 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$80,640(+$8,640 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$106,400(+$11,400 vs national)

Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Salt Lake City adjustment factor: 1.12x based on the local cost of living index.

Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Salt Lake City

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

Public avg: $9,222 | Private avg: $38,396

Salt Lake City avg aid: $10,636/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$108,088

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$19,040

vs HS diploma in Salt Lake City

ROI Payback Period

5.7 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Salt Lake City

$787,912

Lifetime earnings premium ($896,000) minus total education cost ($108,088)

Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Salt Lake City

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$108,088
Monthly Payment$1,227
Total Interest$39,190
% of Monthly Income25%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$108,088
Monthly Payment$2,115
Total Interest$18,804
Interest Savings$20,386

Colleges in Salt Lake City for Communication Studies

University of Utah

public

$9,222/yr

$36,888 total

Westminster University

private

$38,396/yr

$153,584 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Salt Lake Community College

$4,116/yr

Top Employers for Communication Studies in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City

Communication Studies Degree in Salt Lake City — 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 Salt Lake City.

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