Communications Degree in Akron, OH — Salary & ROI 2026
Communications degree analysis for Akron, OH. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$74K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7 yrs
in Akron
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Communications in Akron, OH Overview
While Akron has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Communications students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $8,745/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Communications enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Writing. The adjusted starting salary in Akron is approximately $48,300, growing to $73,500 by mid-career.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$11,330/yr
Private Tuition
$45,325/yr
Room & Board
$8,745/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,336/yr
Unemployment
3.3%
Graduation Rate
72%
Communications Salary in Akron (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Akron's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communications salary: $46,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Akron adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Communications ROI Calculator for Akron
Estimate your return on investment for a Communications degree using local Akron tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,330 | Private avg: $45,325
Akron avg aid: $8,336/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$80,300
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,550
vs HS diploma in Akron
ROI Payback Period
7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Akron
$318,700
Lifetime earnings premium ($399,000) minus total education cost ($80,300)
Student Loan Payoff for Communications in Akron
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Akron for Communications
University of Akron
public
$11,330/yr
$45,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Stark State College
$4,344/yr
Top Employers for Communications in Akron
Akron offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Communications graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Akron Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Communications Job Titles
Communications in Nearby Ohio Cities
Columbus, OH
$47K starting · COL 103
31 colleges
Cleveland, OH
$44K starting · COL 96
20 colleges
Cincinnati, OH
$47K starting · COL 102
28 colleges
Toledo, OH
$50K starting · COL 108
16 colleges
Dayton, OH
$48K starting · COL 104
9 colleges
Parma, OH
$41K starting · COL 90
4 colleges
Canton, OH
$39K starting · COL 84
4 colleges
Lorain, OH
$39K starting · COL 85.2
3 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Akron
Communications Degree in Akron — 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 Communications ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Akron.