Communications Degree in Erie, PA — Salary & ROI 2026
Communications degree analysis for Erie, PA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$55K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$84K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
11.3 yrs
in Erie
Cost of Living
120
index (100 = avg)
Communications in Erie, PA Overview
While Erie has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Communications students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $21,896/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 Erie is approximately $55,200, growing to $84,000 by mid-career.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$15,346/yr
Private Tuition
$35,160/yr
Room & Board
$21,896/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,237/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
63%
Communications Salary in Erie (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Erie's cost of living index of 120 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communications salary: $46,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Erie adjustment factor: 1.20x based on the local cost of living index.
Communications ROI Calculator for Erie
Estimate your return on investment for a Communications degree using local Erie tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,346 | Private avg: $35,160
Erie avg aid: $15,237/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$148,968
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,200
vs HS diploma in Erie
ROI Payback Period
11.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Erie
$307,032
Lifetime earnings premium ($456,000) minus total education cost ($148,968)
Student Loan Payoff for Communications in Erie
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Erie for Communications
Gannon University
private
$35,160/yr
$140,640 total
Penn State Behrend
public
$15,346/yr
$61,384 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Erie Community College
$5,070/yr
Top Employers for Communications in Erie
Erie offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Communications graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Erie Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Communications Job Titles
Communications in Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Philadelphia, PA
$69K starting · COL 150
42 colleges
Pittsburgh, PA
$53K starting · COL 115
12 colleges
Allentown, PA
$52K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Reading, PA
$54K starting · COL 118
3 colleges
Upper Darby, PA
$43K starting · COL 94.5
4 colleges
Scranton, PA
$55K starting · COL 120
8 colleges
Bethlehem, PA
$58K starting · COL 125
7 colleges
Lower Merion, PA
$42K starting · COL 91.4
3 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Erie
Communications Degree in Erie — 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 Erie.