Digital Media Degree in Lowell, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Digital Media degree analysis for Lowell, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$84K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.3 yrs
in Lowell
Cost of Living
112.5
index (100 = avg)
Digital Media in Lowell, MA Overview
While Lowell has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Digital Media students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,748/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Digital Media has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Video Production and Web Design skills. The adjusted starting salary in Lowell is approximately $56,250.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$16,100/yr
Private Tuition
$48,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,748/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,502/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
73%
Digital Media Salary in Lowell (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lowell's cost of living index of 112.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Digital Media salary: $50,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Lowell adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Digital Media ROI Calculator for Lowell
Estimate your return on investment for a Digital Media degree using local Lowell tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,100 | Private avg: $48,000
Lowell avg aid: $14,502/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$123,392
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,875
vs HS diploma in Lowell
ROI Payback Period
7.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lowell
$382,858
Lifetime earnings premium ($506,250) minus total education cost ($123,392)
Student Loan Payoff for Digital Media in Lowell
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lowell for Digital Media
Lowell State University
public
$16,448/yr
$65,792 total
University of Lowell
public
$18,005/yr
$72,020 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lowell Community College
$6,184/yr
Top Employers for Digital Media in Lowell
Lowell offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Digital Media graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lowell Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Digital Media Job Titles
Digital Media in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$69K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Worcester, MA
$59K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Brockton, MA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$51K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Lowell
Digital Media Degree in Lowell — 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 Digital Media ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Lowell.