Accounting Degree in Worcester, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Accounting degree analysis for Worcester, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$105K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.7 yrs
in Worcester
Cost of Living
117
index (100 = avg)
Accounting in Worcester, MA Overview
Worcester, Massachusetts (pop. 206,518) has 11 colleges offering Accounting programs. The local cost of living index of 117 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,228/month. Accounting enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Financial Reporting and Tax Preparation. The adjusted starting salary in Worcester is approximately $72,540.
Category
Business
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$16,670/yr
Private Tuition
$56,344/yr
Room & Board
$20,077/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,422/yr
Unemployment
5.2%
Graduation Rate
51%
Accounting Salary in Worcester (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Worcester's cost of living index of 117 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Accounting salary: $62,000 starting, $90,000 mid-career, $115,000 senior level.Worcester adjustment factor: 1.17x based on the local cost of living index.
Accounting ROI Calculator for Worcester
Estimate your return on investment for a Accounting degree using local Worcester tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,670 | Private avg: $56,344
Worcester avg aid: $15,422/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$146,988
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$31,590
vs HS diploma in Worcester
ROI Payback Period
4.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Worcester
$730,512
Lifetime earnings premium ($877,500) minus total education cost ($146,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Accounting in Worcester
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Worcester for Accounting
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
private
$56,818/yr
$227,272 total
College of the Holy Cross
private
$55,870/yr
$223,480 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Quinsigamond Community College
$5,760/yr
Top Employers for Accounting in Worcester
Worcester offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Accounting graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Worcester Hiring Sectors for Business
Financial services
Consulting firms
Fortune 500 companies
Startups
Marketing agencies
Common Accounting Job Titles
Accounting in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$85K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Springfield, MA
$82K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$82K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Lowell, MA
$70K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Brockton, MA
$67K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$80K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$64K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$73K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Business Majors in Worcester
Business Analytics
$91K starting · 2 yr ROI
Finance
$82K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Economics
$76K starting · 4 yr ROI
Information Systems
$59K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$59K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$59K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$59K starting · 4 yr ROI
Business Administration
$68K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Accounting Degree in Worcester — 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 Accounting ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Worcester.