Is a Communications Degree Worth It? What the Salary Data Shows

Communications is one of the most popular college majors in America. But is it worth the investment? Let's look at what the salary data actually says.

What Do Communications Graduates Earn?

According to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard:

• Starting salary (1 year after graduation): $42,000
• Mid-career salary (5-10 years): $62,000

These are median figures — half of graduates earn more, half earn less. Your actual salary depends heavily on your specialization, location, and employer.

What Can You Do With a Communications Degree?

Common career paths for communications graduates include: PR specialist, social media manager, content strategist, corporate communications, media planner.

Is a Communications Degree Worth It at a State School?

At an in-state public university where net cost is $10,000-$15,000/yr, a communications degree can break even in a reasonable timeframe. The total investment of $40,000-$60,000 is manageable relative to the earnings premium over a high school diploma.

Is a Communications Degree Worth It at a Private School?

At a private university charging $50,000+/yr, the math gets much harder. Total cost of $200,000+ means your break-even point could be 10+ years. Unless the school has exceptional placement rates or alumni networks, this is risky.

The Verdict

Communications pays less than business or STEM, but it's more versatile than people think. The key is specialization: graduates who focus on digital marketing, analytics, or corporate communications earn significantly more than general comm majors. Worth it at a state school price; risky at $60K/yr private school tuition.

See which schools offer the best communications programs by Value Score: Ask Kinsley Communications Rankings.