Graphic Design Degree in Lowell, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Lowell, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$81K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.4 yrs
in Lowell
Cost of Living
112.5
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Lowell, MA Overview
While Lowell has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Graphic Design students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,748/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Lowell is approximately $54,000.
Category
Arts & Design
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%
Graphic Design Salary in Lowell (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lowell's cost of living index of 112.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Lowell adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Lowell
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design 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
$14,625
vs HS diploma in Lowell
ROI Payback Period
8.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lowell
$304,108
Lifetime earnings premium ($427,500) minus total education cost ($123,392)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Lowell
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lowell for Graphic Design
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 Graphic Design in Lowell
Lowell offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lowell Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$66K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Worcester, MA
$56K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$64K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$64K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Brockton, MA
$52K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$62K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$49K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$57K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Lowell
UX Design
$56K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$65K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$56K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$56K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$56K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$56K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design 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 Graphic Design ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Lowell.