University of Massachusetts-Boston — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Massachusetts-Boston charges a net price of $17,707/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $70,828. Graduates earn a median $65,865 ten years after entry, $17,505/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4 years — a 20-year net return of $279,272, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Massachusetts-Boston's 4-year payback ranks #293 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 77% of them, and #19 of 85 in Massachusetts.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $17,707/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $70,828 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $65,865 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $17,505/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,974 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $279,272 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Massachusetts-Boston's own numbers. Net price $17,707 × 4 years = $70,828 total. Median earnings $65,865 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $17,505 a year of premium. $70,828 ÷ $17,505 = 4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $279,272. 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-Boston students graduate with?
A median $21,974 in federal loans among completers, or 33% of the $65,865 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-Boston students graduate?
49% finish their degree — 51% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $70,828 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $144,547 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Massachusetts-Boston expensive compared with other Massachusetts colleges?
Its $17,707 net price runs $7,176 below the $24,883 median across the 85 Massachusetts colleges we profile, and $28,704 less across the full degree.