Cartography Degree in Worcester, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Cartography 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
$103K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.7 yrs
in Worcester
Cost of Living
117
index (100 = avg)
Cartography in Worcester, MA Overview
Worcester, Massachusetts (pop. 206,518) has 11 colleges offering Cartography 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. Cartography has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for GIS and Remote Sensing skills. The adjusted starting salary in Worcester is approximately $72,540.
Category
STEM
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%
Cartography Salary in Worcester (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Worcester's cost of living index of 117 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Cartography salary: $62,000 starting, $88,000 mid-career, $115,000 senior level.Worcester adjustment factor: 1.17x based on the local cost of living index.
Cartography ROI Calculator for Worcester
Estimate your return on investment for a Cartography 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
$-29,988
Lifetime earnings premium ($117,000) minus total education cost ($146,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Cartography in Worcester
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Worcester for Cartography
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 Cartography in Worcester
Worcester offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Cartography graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Worcester Hiring Sectors for STEM
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Cartography Job Titles
Cartography 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 STEM Majors in Worcester
Prompt Engineering
$59K starting · 1.5 yr ROI
Computational Linguistics
$111K starting · 2 yr ROI
Computer Science
$99K starting · 2.8 yr ROI
Software Engineering
$103K starting · 2.7 yr ROI
Data Science
$96K starting · 3 yr ROI
Astrophysics
$99K starting · 3 yr ROI
Actuarial Science
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Cybersecurity
$94K starting · 3 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Cartography degree outcomes in Worcester, MA: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Cartography programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Massachusetts.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Worcester using regional CPI data.
- 10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
- Job market outlook for Cartography graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
- Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Cartography career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Cartography grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Financial Aid Resources for Worcester Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Massachusetts students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Massachusetts programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "massachusetts higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Cartography 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 Cartography ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Worcester.