Communications Degree in Modesto, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Communications degree analysis for Modesto, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$91K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Modesto
Cost of Living
130
index (100 = avg)
Communications in Modesto, CA Overview
Modesto, California (pop. 218,464) has 9 colleges offering Communications programs. The local cost of living index of 130 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,224/month. Communications enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Writing. The adjusted starting salary in Modesto is approximately $59,800, growing to $91,000 by mid-career.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$1,540/yr
Private Tuition
$57,167/yr
Room & Board
$18,295/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,378/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
63%
Communications Salary in Modesto (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Modesto's cost of living index of 130 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communications salary: $46,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Modesto adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Communications ROI Calculator for Modesto
Estimate your return on investment for a Communications degree using local Modesto tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $1,540 | Private avg: $57,167
Modesto avg aid: $10,378/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,340
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,300
vs HS diploma in Modesto
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Modesto
$414,660
Lifetime earnings premium ($494,000) minus total education cost ($79,340)
Student Loan Payoff for Communications in Modesto
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Modesto for Communications
Modesto Junior College
public
$1,540/yr
$6,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Modesto Junior College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Communications in Modesto
Modesto offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Communications graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Modesto Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Communications Job Titles
Communications in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$65K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$64K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$59K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$52K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$54K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$52K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$53K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$61K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Modesto
Communications Degree in Modesto — 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 Modesto.