Urban Planning Degree in Worcester, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Urban Planning 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
$84K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.4 yrs
in Worcester
Cost of Living
117
index (100 = avg)
Urban Planning in Worcester, MA Overview
Worcester, Massachusetts (pop. 206,518) has 11 colleges offering Urban Planning 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. Urban Planning has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Zoning and Transportation Planning skills. The adjusted starting salary in Worcester is approximately $58,500.
Category
Social Sciences
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%
Urban Planning Salary in Worcester (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Worcester's cost of living index of 117 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Urban Planning salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Worcester adjustment factor: 1.17x based on the local cost of living index.
Urban Planning ROI Calculator for Worcester
Estimate your return on investment for a Urban Planning 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
$344,412
Lifetime earnings premium ($491,400) minus total education cost ($146,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Urban Planning in Worcester
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Worcester for Urban Planning
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 Urban Planning in Worcester
Worcester offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Urban Planning graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Worcester Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Urban Planning Job Titles
Urban Planning 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 Social Sciences Majors in Worcester
International Relations
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$56K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Geography
$59K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$59K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$59K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$51K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$51K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning 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 Urban Planning ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Worcester.