Communications Degree in Des Moines, IA — Salary & ROI 2026
Communications degree analysis for Des Moines, IA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$42K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$64K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7 yrs
in Des Moines
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Communications in Des Moines, IA Overview
Des Moines, Iowa (pop. 214,133) has 10 colleges offering Communications programs. The local cost of living index of 92 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $975/month. Communications enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Writing. The adjusted starting salary in Des Moines is approximately $42,320, growing to $64,400 by mid-career.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$8,977/yr
Private Tuition
$38,388/yr
Room & Board
$8,658/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,739/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
56%
Communications Salary in Des Moines (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Des Moines's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communications salary: $46,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Des Moines adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Communications ROI Calculator for Des Moines
Estimate your return on investment for a Communications degree using local Des Moines tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,977 | Private avg: $38,388
Des Moines avg aid: $9,739/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$70,540
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$10,120
vs HS diploma in Des Moines
ROI Payback Period
7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Des Moines
$279,060
Lifetime earnings premium ($349,600) minus total education cost ($70,540)
Student Loan Payoff for Communications in Des Moines
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Des Moines for Communications
Drake University
private
$45,520/yr
$182,080 total
Grand View University
private
$31,256/yr
$125,024 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Des Moines Area Community College
$5,064/yr
Top Employers for Communications in Des Moines
Des Moines offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Communications graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Des Moines Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Communications Job Titles
Communications in Nearby Iowa Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA
$46K starting · COL 100
4 colleges
Davenport, IA
$36K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Sioux City, IA
$39K starting · COL 84
2 colleges
Iowa City, IA
$44K starting · COL 95.2
3 colleges
West Des Moines, IA
$45K starting · COL 97.5
3 colleges
Ankeny, IA
$44K starting · COL 95.8
3 colleges
Waterloo, IA
$38K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Ames, IA
$40K starting · COL 87
8 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Des Moines
Communications Degree in Des Moines — 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 Des Moines.