Communications Degree in Upper Darby, PA — Salary & ROI 2026
Communications degree analysis for Upper Darby, PA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$66K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
11.4 yrs
in Upper Darby
Cost of Living
94.5
index (100 = avg)
Communications in Upper Darby, PA Overview
While Upper Darby has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Communications students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,171/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Communications enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Writing. The adjusted starting salary in Upper Darby is approximately $43,470, growing to $66,150 by mid-career.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$15,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,171/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,595/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
70%
Communications Salary in Upper Darby (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Upper Darby's cost of living index of 94.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communications salary: $46,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Upper Darby adjustment factor: 0.94x based on the local cost of living index.
Communications ROI Calculator for Upper Darby
Estimate your return on investment for a Communications degree using local Upper Darby tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Upper Darby avg aid: $12,595/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$118,684
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$10,395
vs HS diploma in Upper Darby
ROI Payback Period
11.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Upper Darby
$240,416
Lifetime earnings premium ($359,100) minus total education cost ($118,684)
Student Loan Payoff for Communications in Upper Darby
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Upper Darby for Communications
Upper Darby State University
public
$16,192/yr
$64,768 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Upper Darby Community College
$5,336/yr
Top Employers for Communications in Upper Darby
Upper Darby offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Communications graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Upper Darby Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Communications Job Titles
Communications in Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Philadelphia, PA
$69K starting · COL 150
42 colleges
Pittsburgh, PA
$53K starting · COL 115
12 colleges
Allentown, PA
$52K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Reading, PA
$54K starting · COL 118
3 colleges
Erie, PA
$55K starting · COL 120
4 colleges
Scranton, PA
$55K starting · COL 120
8 colleges
Bethlehem, PA
$58K starting · COL 125
7 colleges
Lower Merion, PA
$42K starting · COL 91.4
3 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Upper Darby
Communications Degree in Upper Darby — 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 Upper Darby.