Communication Studies Degree in Tucson, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies degree analysis for Tucson, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$84K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.2 yrs
in Tucson
Cost of Living
116
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Tucson, AZ Overview
Tucson is one of Arizona's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 21,782. Public tuition averages $7,664/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Tucson is approximately $60,320.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
24
Public Tuition
$7,664/yr
Private Tuition
$31,536/yr
Room & Board
$18,163/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,106/yr
Unemployment
3.7%
Graduation Rate
67%
Communication Studies Salary in Tucson (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tucson's cost of living index of 116 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Tucson adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Tucson
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Tucson tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,664 | Private avg: $31,536
Tucson avg aid: $14,106/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,308
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,720
vs HS diploma in Tucson
ROI Payback Period
5.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tucson
$824,692
Lifetime earnings premium ($928,000) minus total education cost ($103,308)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Tucson
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tucson for Communication Studies
University of Arizona
public
$12,748/yr
$50,992 total
Pima Community College
public
$2,580/yr
$10,320 total
Prescott College
private
$31,536/yr
$126,144 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Pima Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Communication Studies in Tucson
Tucson offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tucson 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
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
Scottsdale, AZ
$66K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$54K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$59K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Social Science Majors in Tucson
Communication Studies Degree in Tucson — 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 Tucson.