Communications Degree in Wichita, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Communications degree analysis for Wichita, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$73K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.5 yrs
in Wichita
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Communications in Wichita, KS Overview
Wichita, Kansas (pop. 397,532) has 20 colleges offering Communications programs. The local cost of living index of 104 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $837/month. Communications enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Writing. The adjusted starting salary in Wichita is approximately $47,840, growing to $72,800 by mid-career.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
20
Public Tuition
$8,640/yr
Private Tuition
$43,408/yr
Room & Board
$12,817/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,474/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
46%
Communications Salary in Wichita (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Wichita's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communications salary: $46,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Wichita adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Communications ROI Calculator for Wichita
Estimate your return on investment for a Communications degree using local Wichita tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,640 | Private avg: $43,408
Wichita avg aid: $16,474/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$85,828
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,440
vs HS diploma in Wichita
ROI Payback Period
7.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Wichita
$309,372
Lifetime earnings premium ($395,200) minus total education cost ($85,828)
Student Loan Payoff for Communications in Wichita
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Wichita for Communications
Wichita State University
public
$8,640/yr
$34,560 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Butler Community College
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Communications in Wichita
Wichita offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Communications graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Wichita Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Communications Job Titles
Communications in Nearby Kansas Cities
Overland Park, KS
$47K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$38K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$45K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Topeka, KS
$39K starting · COL 84
14 colleges
Lawrence, KS
$50K starting · COL 108
5 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$40K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$44K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$44K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Wichita
Communications Degree in Wichita — 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 Wichita.