Communication Studies Degree in Scottsdale, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies degree analysis for Scottsdale, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$66K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$91K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.1 yrs
in Scottsdale
Cost of Living
126
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Scottsdale, AZ Overview
Scottsdale, Arizona (pop. 241,361) has 16 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 126 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,416/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Scottsdale is approximately $65,520.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$2,580/yr
Private Tuition
$47,544/yr
Room & Board
$14,253/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,836/yr
Unemployment
3.8%
Graduation Rate
50%
Communication Studies Salary in Scottsdale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Scottsdale's cost of living index of 126 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Scottsdale adjustment factor: 1.26x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Scottsdale
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Scottsdale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $2,580 | Private avg: $47,544
Scottsdale avg aid: $14,836/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$67,332
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,420
vs HS diploma in Scottsdale
ROI Payback Period
3.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Scottsdale
$940,668
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,008,000) minus total education cost ($67,332)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Scottsdale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Scottsdale for Communication Studies
Scottsdale Community College
public
$2,580/yr
$10,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Scottsdale Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Communication Studies in Scottsdale
Scottsdale offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Scottsdale Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Communication Studies Job Titles
Communication Studies in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$79K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$60K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$57K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$64K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$62K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$55K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$54K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$59K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Social Science Majors in Scottsdale
Communication Studies Degree in Scottsdale — 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 Scottsdale.