Architecture Degree in New Bedford, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for New Bedford, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$84K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.2 yrs
in New Bedford
Cost of Living
102.5
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in New Bedford, MA Overview
While New Bedford has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Architecture students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,635/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in New Bedford is approximately $59,450.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$16,100/yr
Private Tuition
$48,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,635/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,843/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
63%
Architecture Salary in New Bedford (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for New Bedford's cost of living index of 102.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.New Bedford adjustment factor: 1.02x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for New Bedford
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local New Bedford tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,100 | Private avg: $48,000
New Bedford avg aid: $9,843/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$122,940
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$23,575
vs HS diploma in New Bedford
ROI Payback Period
5.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in New Bedford
$369,060
Lifetime earnings premium ($492,000) minus total education cost ($122,940)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in New Bedford
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in New Bedford for Architecture
New Bedford State University
public
$15,984/yr
$63,936 total
University of New Bedford
public
$18,237/yr
$72,948 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
New Bedford Community College
$5,720/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in New Bedford
New Bedford offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key New Bedford Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$79K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
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
Lynn, MA
$69K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in New Bedford
UX Design
$51K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$51K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$51K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$51K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$51K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$51K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$51K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in New Bedford — 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 New Bedford.