Communications Degree in Duluth, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Communications degree analysis for Duluth, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$70K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
9.6 yrs
in Duluth
Cost of Living
100
index (100 = avg)
Communications in Duluth, MN Overview
While Duluth has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Communications students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $12,662/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 Duluth is approximately $46,000, growing to $70,000 by mid-career.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$13,872/yr
Private Tuition
$41,612/yr
Room & Board
$12,662/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,990/yr
Unemployment
3.2%
Graduation Rate
64%
Communications Salary in Duluth (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Duluth's cost of living index of 100 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communications salary: $46,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Duluth adjustment factor: 1.00x based on the local cost of living index.
Communications ROI Calculator for Duluth
Estimate your return on investment for a Communications degree using local Duluth tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,872 | Private avg: $41,612
Duluth avg aid: $15,990/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$106,136
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,000
vs HS diploma in Duluth
ROI Payback Period
9.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Duluth
$273,864
Lifetime earnings premium ($380,000) minus total education cost ($106,136)
Student Loan Payoff for Communications in Duluth
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Duluth for Communications
University of Minnesota Duluth
public
$13,872/yr
$55,488 total
College of St. Scholastica
private
$41,612/yr
$166,448 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lake Superior College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Communications in Duluth
Duluth offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Communications graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Duluth Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Communications Job Titles
Communications in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$45K starting · COL 97
15 colleges
Saint Paul, MN
$47K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$50K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$48K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$46K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$45K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$49K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$49K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Duluth
Communications Degree in Duluth — 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 Duluth.