Communications Degree in Jackson, MS — Salary & ROI 2026
Communications degree analysis for Jackson, MS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$65K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.4 yrs
in Jackson
Cost of Living
93
index (100 = avg)
Communications in Jackson, MS Overview
Jackson, Mississippi (pop. 153,701) has 11 colleges offering Communications programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $855/month. Communications enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Writing. The adjusted starting salary in Jackson is approximately $42,780, growing to $65,100 by mid-career.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$8,684/yr
Private Tuition
$27,400/yr
Room & Board
$12,839/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,629/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
62%
Communications Salary in Jackson (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Jackson's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communications salary: $46,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Jackson adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.
Communications ROI Calculator for Jackson
Estimate your return on investment for a Communications degree using local Jackson tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,684 | Private avg: $27,400
Jackson avg aid: $14,629/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,092
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$10,230
vs HS diploma in Jackson
ROI Payback Period
8.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Jackson
$267,308
Lifetime earnings premium ($353,400) minus total education cost ($86,092)
Student Loan Payoff for Communications in Jackson
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Jackson for Communications
Jackson State University
public
$8,684/yr
$34,736 total
Belhaven University
private
$27,400/yr
$109,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Hinds Community College
$3,300/yr
Top Employers for Communications in Jackson
Jackson offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Communications graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Jackson Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Communications Job Titles
Communications in Nearby Mississippi Cities
Other Communications Majors in Jackson
Communications Degree in Jackson — 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 Jackson.