Communications Degree in Worcester, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Communications degree analysis for Worcester, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$82K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
11.4 yrs
in Worcester
Cost of Living
117
index (100 = avg)
Communications in Worcester, MA Overview
Worcester, Massachusetts (pop. 206,518) has 11 colleges offering Communications 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. Communications enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Writing. The adjusted starting salary in Worcester is approximately $53,820, growing to $81,900 by mid-career.
Category
Communications
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%
Communications Salary in Worcester (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Worcester's cost of living index of 117 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communications salary: $46,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Worcester adjustment factor: 1.17x based on the local cost of living index.
Communications ROI Calculator for Worcester
Estimate your return on investment for a Communications 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
$12,870
vs HS diploma in Worcester
ROI Payback Period
11.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Worcester
$297,612
Lifetime earnings premium ($444,600) minus total education cost ($146,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Communications in Worcester
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Worcester for Communications
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 Communications in Worcester
Worcester offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Communications graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Worcester 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
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
New Bedford, MA
$47K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$55K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Worcester
Communications 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 Communications ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Worcester.