Communications Degree in Ontario, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Communications degree analysis for Ontario, CA. 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
8.8 yrs
in Ontario
Cost of Living
120.3
index (100 = avg)
Communications in Ontario, CA Overview
Ontario, California (pop. 175,265) has 7 colleges offering Communications programs. The local cost of living index of 120.3 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,500/month. Communications enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Writing. The adjusted starting salary in Ontario is approximately $55,338, growing to $84,210 by mid-career.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,501/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,507/yr
Unemployment
4.3%
Graduation Rate
62%
Communications Salary in Ontario (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Ontario's cost of living index of 120.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communications salary: $46,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Ontario adjustment factor: 1.20x based on the local cost of living index.
Communications ROI Calculator for Ontario
Estimate your return on investment for a Communications degree using local Ontario tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Ontario avg aid: $11,507/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$116,004
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,233
vs HS diploma in Ontario
ROI Payback Period
8.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Ontario
$341,136
Lifetime earnings premium ($457,140) minus total education cost ($116,004)
Student Loan Payoff for Communications in Ontario
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Ontario for Communications
Ontario State University
public
$15,124/yr
$60,496 total
University of Ontario
public
$13,870/yr
$55,480 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Ontario Community College
$6,160/yr
Top Employers for Communications in Ontario
Ontario offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Communications graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Ontario 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 Ontario
Communications Degree in Ontario — 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 Ontario.