Communications Degree in Murfreesboro, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Communications degree analysis for Murfreesboro, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$42K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$64K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
9.3 yrs
in Murfreesboro
Cost of Living
91
index (100 = avg)
Communications in Murfreesboro, TN Overview
Murfreesboro, Tennessee (pop. 152,769) has 10 colleges offering Communications programs. The local cost of living index of 91 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,003/month. Communications enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Writing. The adjusted starting salary in Murfreesboro is approximately $41,860, growing to $63,700 by mid-career.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$9,312/yr
Private Tuition
$43,809/yr
Room & Board
$13,946/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,072/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
53%
Communications Salary in Murfreesboro (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Murfreesboro's cost of living index of 91 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communications salary: $46,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Murfreesboro adjustment factor: 0.91x based on the local cost of living index.
Communications ROI Calculator for Murfreesboro
Estimate your return on investment for a Communications degree using local Murfreesboro tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $43,809
Murfreesboro avg aid: $16,072/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$93,032
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$10,010
vs HS diploma in Murfreesboro
ROI Payback Period
9.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Murfreesboro
$252,768
Lifetime earnings premium ($345,800) minus total education cost ($93,032)
Student Loan Payoff for Communications in Murfreesboro
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Murfreesboro for Communications
Middle Tennessee State University
public
$9,312/yr
$37,248 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Motlow State Community College
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Communications in Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Communications graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Murfreesboro Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Communications Job Titles
Communications in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$42K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$43K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$39K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Chattanooga, TN
$37K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$41K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Franklin, TN
$55K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Jackson, TN
$38K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$48K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Murfreesboro
Communications Degree in Murfreesboro — 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 Murfreesboro.