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Pharmaceutical Sciences Degree in Worcester, MA — Salary & ROI 2026

Pharmaceutical Sciences 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

$111K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

8.4 yrs

in Worcester

Cost of Living

117

index (100 = avg)

Pharmaceutical Sciences in Worcester, MA Overview

Worcester, Massachusetts (pop. 206,518) has 11 colleges offering Pharmaceutical Sciences 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. Pharmaceutical Sciences enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Pharmacology and Drug Formulation. The adjusted starting salary in Worcester is approximately $58,500, growing to $111,150 by mid-career.

Category

STEM

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%

Pharmaceutical Sciences Salary in Worcester (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Worcester's cost of living index of 117 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,500(+$8,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$111,150(+$16,150 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$140,400(+$20,400 vs national)

Note: National average Pharmaceutical Sciences salary: $50,000 starting, $95,000 mid-career, $120,000 senior level.Worcester adjustment factor: 1.17x based on the local cost of living index.

Pharmaceutical Sciences ROI Calculator for Worcester

Estimate your return on investment for a Pharmaceutical Sciences 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

$672,012

Lifetime earnings premium ($819,000) minus total education cost ($146,988)

Student Loan Payoff for Pharmaceutical Sciences in Worcester

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$146,988
Monthly Payment$1,669
Total Interest$53,294
% of Monthly Income34%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$146,988
Monthly Payment$2,876
Total Interest$25,571
Interest Savings$27,723

Colleges in Worcester for Pharmaceutical Sciences

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 Pharmaceutical Sciences in Worcester

Worcester offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates. National top employers in this field include:

PfizerMerckJohnson & JohnsonAbbVieEli Lilly

Key Worcester Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Pharmaceutical Sciences Job Titles

Pharmaceutical ScientistRegulatory Affairs SpecialistClinical Research Associate

Pharmaceutical Sciences 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.

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