Communications Degree in Tulsa, OK — Salary & ROI 2026
Communications degree analysis for Tulsa, OK. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$39K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$59K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.3 yrs
in Tulsa
Cost of Living
84
index (100 = avg)
Communications in Tulsa, OK Overview
Tulsa, Oklahoma (pop. 413,066) has 15 colleges offering Communications programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,113/month. Communications enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Writing. The adjusted starting salary in Tulsa is approximately $38,640, growing to $58,800 by mid-career.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
15
Public Tuition
$6,582/yr
Private Tuition
$38,753/yr
Room & Board
$10,330/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,592/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
64%
Communications Salary in Tulsa (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tulsa's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communications salary: $46,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Tulsa adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Communications ROI Calculator for Tulsa
Estimate your return on investment for a Communications degree using local Tulsa tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,582 | Private avg: $38,753
Tulsa avg aid: $7,592/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$67,648
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,240
vs HS diploma in Tulsa
ROI Payback Period
7.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tulsa
$251,552
Lifetime earnings premium ($319,200) minus total education cost ($67,648)
Student Loan Payoff for Communications in Tulsa
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tulsa for Communications
University of Tulsa
private
$44,726/yr
$178,904 total
Oral Roberts University
private
$32,780/yr
$131,120 total
Oklahoma State University-Tulsa
public
$6,582/yr
$26,328 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tulsa Community College
$3,558/yr
Top Employers for Communications in Tulsa
Tulsa offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Communications graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tulsa Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Communications Job Titles
Communications in Nearby Oklahoma Cities
Oklahoma City, OK
$45K starting · COL 97
37 colleges
Norman, OK
$40K starting · COL 86
10 colleges
Broken Arrow, OK
$42K starting · COL 91.8
5 colleges
Edmond, OK
$44K starting · COL 95.2
4 colleges
Lawton, OK
$38K starting · COL 82.5
4 colleges
Moore, OK
$41K starting · COL 89.3
3 colleges
Midwest City, OK
$42K starting · COL 91.1
3 colleges
Stillwater, OK
$40K starting · COL 87.3
3 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Tulsa
Communications Degree in Tulsa — 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 Tulsa.