Journalism Degree in Worcester, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Journalism degree analysis for Worcester, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$51K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$73K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
14 yrs
in Worcester
Cost of Living
117
index (100 = avg)
Journalism in Worcester, MA Overview
Worcester, Massachusetts (pop. 206,518) has 11 colleges offering Journalism 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 Journalism has been declining, graduates with skills in Reporting and Investigative Journalism remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Worcester is approximately $51,480.
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%
Journalism Salary in Worcester (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Worcester's cost of living index of 117 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Journalism salary: $44,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Worcester adjustment factor: 1.17x based on the local cost of living index.
Journalism ROI Calculator for Worcester
Estimate your return on investment for a Journalism 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
$10,530
vs HS diploma in Worcester
ROI Payback Period
14 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Worcester
$180,612
Lifetime earnings premium ($327,600) minus total education cost ($146,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Journalism in Worcester
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Worcester for Journalism
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 Journalism in Worcester
Worcester offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Journalism graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Worcester Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Journalism Job Titles
Journalism in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$60K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Springfield, MA
$59K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$59K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Lowell, MA
$50K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Brockton, MA
$48K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$57K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$45K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$52K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Worcester
Journalism 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 Journalism ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Worcester.