Worcester State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Worcester State University charges a net price of $13,381/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $53,524. Graduates earn a median $60,624 ten years after entry, $12,264/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.4 years — a 20-year net return of $191,756, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Worcester State University's 4.4-year payback ranks #352 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 73% of them, and #25 of 85 in Massachusetts.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $13,381/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $53,524 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $60,624 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $12,264/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $19,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.4 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $191,756 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Worcester State University's own numbers. Net price $13,381 × 4 years = $53,524 total. Median earnings $60,624 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $12,264 a year of premium. $53,524 ÷ $12,264 = 4.4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $191,756. 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 Worcester State University students graduate with?
A median $19,500 in federal loans among completers, or 32% of the $60,624 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Worcester State University students graduate?
61% finish their degree — 39% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $53,524 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $87,744 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Worcester State University expensive compared with other Massachusetts colleges?
Its $13,381 net price runs $11,502 below the $24,883 median across the 85 Massachusetts colleges we profile, and $46,008 less across the full degree.