Communication Studies Degree in Wichita, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies degree analysis for Wichita, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$75K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.9 yrs
in Wichita
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Wichita, KS Overview
Wichita, Kansas (pop. 397,532) has 20 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 104 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $837/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Wichita is approximately $54,080.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
20
Public Tuition
$8,640/yr
Private Tuition
$43,408/yr
Room & Board
$12,817/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,474/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
46%
Communication Studies Salary in Wichita (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Wichita's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Wichita adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Wichita
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies degree using local Wichita tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,640 | Private avg: $43,408
Wichita avg aid: $16,474/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$85,828
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,680
vs HS diploma in Wichita
ROI Payback Period
4.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Wichita
$746,172
Lifetime earnings premium ($832,000) minus total education cost ($85,828)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Wichita
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Wichita for Communication Studies
Wichita State University
public
$8,640/yr
$34,560 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Butler Community College
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Communication Studies in Wichita
Wichita offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Wichita Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Communication Studies Job Titles
Communication Studies in Nearby Kansas Cities
Overland Park, KS
$54K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$43K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$50K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Topeka, KS
$44K starting · COL 84
14 colleges
Lawrence, KS
$56K starting · COL 108
5 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$45K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$50K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$49K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Social Science Majors in Wichita
Communication Studies Degree in Wichita — 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 Wichita.