Communications Degree in Charleston, SC — Salary & ROI 2026
Communications degree analysis for Charleston, SC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$72K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
9.1 yrs
in Charleston
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Communications in Charleston, SC Overview
Charleston, South Carolina (pop. 150,277) has 9 colleges offering Communications programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,168/month. Communications enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Writing. The adjusted starting salary in Charleston is approximately $47,380, growing to $72,100 by mid-career.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$13,659/yr
Private Tuition
$29,969/yr
Room & Board
$12,112/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,774/yr
Unemployment
6.2%
Graduation Rate
62%
Communications Salary in Charleston (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Charleston's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communications salary: $46,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Charleston adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Communications ROI Calculator for Charleston
Estimate your return on investment for a Communications degree using local Charleston tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,659 | Private avg: $29,969
Charleston avg aid: $7,774/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,084
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,330
vs HS diploma in Charleston
ROI Payback Period
9.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Charleston
$288,316
Lifetime earnings premium ($391,400) minus total education cost ($103,084)
Student Loan Payoff for Communications in Charleston
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Charleston for Communications
College of Charleston
public
$12,622/yr
$50,488 total
The Citadel
public
$14,696/yr
$58,784 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Trident Technical College
$5,064/yr
Top Employers for Communications in Charleston
Charleston offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Communications graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Charleston Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Communications Job Titles
Communications in Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other Communications Majors in Charleston
Communications Degree in Charleston — 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 Charleston.