University of Massachusetts-Amherst — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Massachusetts-Amherst charges a net price of $22,383/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $89,532. Graduates earn a median $71,631 ten years after entry, $23,271/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3.8 years — a 20-year net return of $375,888, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Massachusetts-Amherst's 3.8-year payback ranks #271 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 79% of them, and #18 of 85 in Massachusetts.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $22,383/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $89,532 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $71,631 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $23,271/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $22,763 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 3.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $375,888 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Massachusetts-Amherst's own numbers. Net price $22,383 × 4 years = $89,532 total. Median earnings $71,631 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $23,271 a year of premium. $89,532 ÷ $23,271 = 3.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $375,888. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Massachusetts-Amherst students graduate with?
A median $22,763 in federal loans among completers, or 32% of the $71,631 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Massachusetts-Amherst students graduate?
83% finish their degree. Spread the $89,532 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $107,870 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst expensive compared with other Massachusetts colleges?
Its $22,383 net price runs $2,500 below the $24,883 median across the 85 Massachusetts colleges we profile, and $10,000 less across the full degree.