Communications Degree in Honolulu, HI — Salary & ROI 2026
Communications degree analysis for Honolulu, HI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$85K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.4 yrs
in Honolulu
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Communications in Honolulu, HI Overview
Honolulu, Hawaii (pop. 350,964) has 12 colleges offering Communications programs. The local cost of living index of 121 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,330/month. Communications enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Writing. The adjusted starting salary in Honolulu is approximately $55,660, growing to $84,700 by mid-career.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$12,186/yr
Private Tuition
$27,060/yr
Room & Board
$12,570/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,299/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
54%
Communications Salary in Honolulu (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Honolulu's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communications salary: $46,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Honolulu adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Communications ROI Calculator for Honolulu
Estimate your return on investment for a Communications degree using local Honolulu tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,186 | Private avg: $27,060
Honolulu avg aid: $12,299/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$99,024
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,310
vs HS diploma in Honolulu
ROI Payback Period
7.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Honolulu
$360,776
Lifetime earnings premium ($459,800) minus total education cost ($99,024)
Student Loan Payoff for Communications in Honolulu
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Honolulu for Communications
University of Hawaii at Manoa
public
$12,186/yr
$48,744 total
Chaminade University of Honolulu
private
$27,060/yr
$108,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Honolulu Community College
$3,432/yr
Top Employers for Communications in Honolulu
Honolulu offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Communications graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Honolulu Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Communications Job Titles
Other Communications Majors in Honolulu
Communications Degree in Honolulu — 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 Honolulu.