Fine Arts Degree in Worcester, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts 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
$61K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.4 yrs
in Worcester
Cost of Living
117
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Worcester, MA Overview
Worcester, Massachusetts (pop. 206,518) has 11 colleges offering Fine Arts 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. Although national enrollment in Fine Arts has been declining, graduates with skills in Drawing and Painting remain competitive in the job market. 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%
Fine Arts Salary in Worcester (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Worcester's cost of living index of 117 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Worcester adjustment factor: 1.17x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Worcester
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts 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
$-29,988
Lifetime earnings premium ($117,000) minus total education cost ($146,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Worcester
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Worcester for Fine Arts
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 Fine Arts in Worcester
Worcester offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts 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 Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts 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
Fashion Design
$59K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$59K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts 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 Fine Arts ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Worcester.