ROI Major

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at University of Arizona (The)

AZ · Bachelor's Degree · CIP 51.02

Apply Now Data: 2026 release

Executive Summary

Graduates with a Communication Disorders Sciences and Services degree from University of Arizona (The) earn a median salary of $63,580 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in AZ, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $59,700. The degree typically pays for itself in 8.6 years.

Quick Insights

Slow Burn / High Debt Risk

How this degree looks at a glance

A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where bachelor's graduates from this school usually land.

Salary Ranges

Starting Range

$46,166

Typical Career

$63,580

Top Performers

$82,246

Estimated break-even: 8.6 years.

Debt-to-Income Check

$424

Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment

Typical monthly pay is approximately $5,298. Most students can comfortably afford about a $424 monthly loan payment with this degree.

Comparison Bench

This degree earns 1.6x more than the average US high school graduate and 0.8x more than the average college graduate.

Purchasing Power Context

A dollar in Arizona buys what costs $1.07 nationally.

Industry Breadcrumbs

Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance.

Where Bachelor's Graduates from This School Work

Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 15.6%
Educational Services 15.5%
Health Care & Social Assistance 15.4%

Institution-wide industry mix for bachelor's graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.

5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent

$59,700

Nominal: $63,580 in Arizona (COL 106.5% of national avg) · 6.1% lower purchasing power

10-Year Earnings Curve

Break-Even Timeline

How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).

8.6 years to break even
Graduation 15 years

Total Investment

$155,168

4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost

HS Graduate Baseline

$38,792/yr

BLS 2023 median, HS diploma

View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
Timeframe 25th Pct. Median (50th) 75th Pct.
1 Year After Graduation $23,643 $31,653 $43,948
5 Years After Graduation $46,166 $63,580 $82,246
10 Years After Graduation $53,455 $75,689 $93,221

Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).

How We Calculate Purchasing Power

The median salary of $63,580 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in AZ, which has a cost-of-living index of 106.5% of the national average.

Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $63,580 × (1.0 ÷ 1.0650) = $59,700 National Average equivalent.

COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →

Career Verdict

Graduates from the Communication Disorders Sciences and Services program at the University of Arizona experience a notable earnings trajectory. One year post-graduation, median earnings stand at $31,653, which increases to $63,580 after five years and reaches $75,689 after ten years. When adjusted for purchasing power, the five-year salary aligns with a national equivalent of $59,699.53, indicating that while initial earnings may be modest, there is significant growth potential over time, particularly when considering the cost of living in Arizona, which has a COL index of 1.065.

The program prepares students for careers in diverse fields, with graduates primarily entering Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (15.6%), Educational Services (15.5%), and Health Care & Social Assistance (15.4%). The estimated break-even point compared to a high-school-only path is approximately 8.6 years, suggesting that while the initial investment in education may take time to recoup, the long-term benefits in terms of career opportunities and earnings potential can be substantial. Overall, the ROI for this degree appears favorable for those committed to the field.

AI-assisted editorial analysis based on Census PSEO data. Fact-checked against source data.

Compare with Another School

See how the Communication Disorders Sciences and Services degree at University of Arizona (The) stacks up against another institution side-by-side.

Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.

Ready to apply?

Start your application for Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at University of Arizona (The).

Apply to University of Arizona (The)

Explore More

Other Degrees at University of Arizona (The)