Communications Degree in New Bedford, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Communications degree analysis for New Bedford, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$72K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
10.9 yrs
in New Bedford
Cost of Living
102.5
index (100 = avg)
Communications in New Bedford, MA Overview
While New Bedford has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Communications students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,635/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Communications enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Writing. The adjusted starting salary in New Bedford is approximately $47,150, growing to $71,750 by mid-career.
Category
Communications
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%
Communications 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 Communications salary: $46,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.New Bedford adjustment factor: 1.02x based on the local cost of living index.
Communications ROI Calculator for New Bedford
Estimate your return on investment for a Communications 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
$11,275
vs HS diploma in New Bedford
ROI Payback Period
10.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in New Bedford
$266,560
Lifetime earnings premium ($389,500) minus total education cost ($122,940)
Student Loan Payoff for Communications in New Bedford
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in New Bedford for Communications
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 Communications in New Bedford
New Bedford offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Communications graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key New Bedford Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Communications Job Titles
Communications in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$63K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Worcester, MA
$54K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$61K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$61K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Lowell, MA
$52K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Brockton, MA
$50K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$59K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$55K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Communications Majors in New Bedford
Communications 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 Communications ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in New Bedford.