University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth charges a net price of $20,927/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $83,708. Graduates earn a median $68,804 ten years after entry, $20,444/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.1 years — a 20-year net return of $325,172, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth's 4.1-year payback ranks #307 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 76% of them, and #21 of 85 in Massachusetts.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $20,927/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $83,708 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $68,804 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $20,444/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.1 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $325,172 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth's own numbers. Net price $20,927 × 4 years = $83,708 total. Median earnings $68,804 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $20,444 a year of premium. $83,708 ÷ $20,444 = 4.1 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $325,172. 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-Dartmouth students graduate with?
A median $25,000 in federal loans among completers, or 36% of the $68,804 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-Dartmouth students graduate?
52% finish their degree — 48% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $83,708 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $160,977 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth expensive compared with other Massachusetts colleges?
Its $20,927 net price runs $3,956 below the $24,883 median across the 85 Massachusetts colleges we profile, and $15,824 less across the full degree.