Communication Studies Degree in Santa Clarita, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies degree analysis for Santa Clarita, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$77K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$107K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.9 yrs
in Santa Clarita
Cost of Living
148.1
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Santa Clarita, CA Overview
Santa Clarita, California (pop. 228,673) has 9 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 148.1 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $2,100/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Santa Clarita is approximately $77,012.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$16,381/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,814/yr
Unemployment
5.5%
Graduation Rate
66%
Communication Studies Salary in Santa Clarita (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Santa Clarita's cost of living index of 148.1 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Santa Clarita adjustment factor: 1.48x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Santa Clarita
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Santa Clarita tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Santa Clarita avg aid: $11,814/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$123,524
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$25,177
vs HS diploma in Santa Clarita
ROI Payback Period
4.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Santa Clarita
$1,061,276
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,184,800) minus total education cost ($123,524)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Santa Clarita
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Santa Clarita for Communication Studies
Santa Clarita State University
public
$13,263/yr
$53,052 total
University of Santa Clarita
public
$16,216/yr
$64,864 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Santa Clarita Community College
$6,330/yr
California Technical College - Santa Clarita
$5,900/yr
Top Employers for Communication Studies in Santa Clarita
Santa Clarita offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita
Communication Studies Degree in Santa Clarita — 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 Santa Clarita.