Fashion Design Degree in Worcester, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Fashion Design degree analysis for Worcester, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$73K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.4 yrs
in Worcester
Cost of Living
117
index (100 = avg)
Fashion Design in Worcester, MA Overview
Worcester, Massachusetts (pop. 206,518) has 11 colleges offering Fashion Design 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. Fashion Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Pattern Making and Textile Knowledge. The adjusted starting salary in Worcester is approximately $58,500.
Category
Arts & Design
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%
Fashion Design Salary in Worcester (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Worcester's cost of living index of 117 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fashion Design salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Worcester adjustment factor: 1.17x based on the local cost of living index.
Fashion Design ROI Calculator for Worcester
Estimate your return on investment for a Fashion Design 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
$17,550
vs HS diploma in Worcester
ROI Payback Period
8.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Worcester
$145,512
Lifetime earnings premium ($292,500) minus total education cost ($146,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Fashion Design in Worcester
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Worcester for Fashion Design
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 Fashion Design in Worcester
Worcester offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fashion Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Worcester Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fashion Design Job Titles
Fashion Design in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$69K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Springfield, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Lowell, MA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 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 Arts & Design Majors in Worcester
UX Design
$59K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$68K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$59K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$59K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$56K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$59K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$59K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$59K starting · 9 yr ROI
Fashion Design 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 Fashion Design ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Worcester.