Communication Studies Degree in Washington, DC — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies degree analysis for Washington, DC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$76K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$105K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Washington
Cost of Living
146
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Washington, DC Overview
Washington is one of District of Columbia's top college towns, with 42 institutions and a student population of 55,233. Public tuition averages $12,276/year here — near the national average for public universities. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Washington is approximately $75,920.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
42
Public Tuition
$12,276/yr
Private Tuition
$51,262/yr
Room & Board
$22,009/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,537/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
60%
Communication Studies Salary in Washington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Washington's cost of living index of 146 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Washington adjustment factor: 1.46x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Washington
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Washington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,276 | Private avg: $51,262
Washington avg aid: $8,537/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$137,140
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$24,820
vs HS diploma in Washington
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Washington
$1,030,860
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,168,000) minus total education cost ($137,140)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Washington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Washington for Communication Studies
Georgetown University
private
$62,052/yr
$248,208 total
George Washington University
private
$60,770/yr
$243,080 total
Howard University
private
$30,964/yr
$123,856 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
University of the District of Columbia Community College
$3,120/yr
Top Employers for Communication Studies in Washington
Washington offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Washington Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Communication Studies Job Titles
Other Social Science Majors in Washington
Communication Studies Degree in Washington — 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 Washington.