Architecture Degree in Boston, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Boston, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$79K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$112K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.6 yrs
in Boston
Cost of Living
137
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Boston, MA Overview
Boston is one of Massachusetts's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 40,388. Public tuition averages $14,167/year here — near the national average for public universities. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Boston is approximately $79,460.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
24
Public Tuition
$14,167/yr
Private Tuition
$60,730/yr
Room & Board
$14,423/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,458/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
56%
Architecture Salary in Boston (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Boston's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Boston adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Boston
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Boston tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,167 | Private avg: $60,730
Boston avg aid: $10,458/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$114,360
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$31,510
vs HS diploma in Boston
ROI Payback Period
3.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Boston
$543,240
Lifetime earnings premium ($657,600) minus total education cost ($114,360)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Boston
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Boston for Architecture
Boston University
private
$62,360/yr
$249,440 total
Northeastern University
private
$59,100/yr
$236,400 total
University of Massachusetts Boston
public
$14,167/yr
$56,668 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bunker Hill Community College
$5,760/yr
Roxbury Community College
$5,280/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Boston
Boston offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Boston Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Worcester, MA
$68K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$77K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$77K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Lowell, MA
$65K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Brockton, MA
$63K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$75K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$59K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$69K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Boston
UX Design
$69K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$69K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$69K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$66K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$69K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$69K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$69K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$69K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Boston — 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 Architecture ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Boston.