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Communication Studies Degree in Syracuse, NY — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$71K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$99K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.9 yrs

in Syracuse

Cost of Living

137

index (100 = avg)

Communication Studies in Syracuse, NY Overview

Syracuse, New York (pop. 148,620) has 10 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 137 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,093/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Syracuse is approximately $71,240.

Category

Social Science

Local Colleges

10

Public Tuition

$14,304/yr

Private Tuition

$57,750/yr

Room & Board

$19,896/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$16,141/yr

Unemployment

4%

Graduation Rate

62%

Communication Studies Salary in Syracuse (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Syracuse's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$71,240(+$19,240 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$98,640(+$26,640 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$130,150(+$35,150 vs national)

Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Syracuse adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.

Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Syracuse

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

Public avg: $14,304 | Private avg: $57,750

Syracuse avg aid: $16,141/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$136,800

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$23,290

vs HS diploma in Syracuse

ROI Payback Period

5.9 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Syracuse

$959,200

Lifetime earnings premium ($1,096,000) minus total education cost ($136,800)

Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Syracuse

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$136,800
Monthly Payment$1,553
Total Interest$49,600
% of Monthly Income26%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$136,800
Monthly Payment$2,677
Total Interest$23,799
Interest Savings$25,801

Colleges in Syracuse for Communication Studies

Syracuse University

private

$57,750/yr

$231,000 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Onondaga Community College

$5,504/yr

Top Employers for Communication Studies in Syracuse

Syracuse 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 Syracuse 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 Syracuse

Communication Studies Degree in Syracuse — 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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Compare Communication Studies ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Syracuse.

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