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Bentley University vs Massachusetts Maritime Academy: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Waltham MA · vs · Public, Buzzards Bay MA

The verdict

Bentley University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $151,720 in 2.1 years versus 2.5 years at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, on median earnings of $120,959 vs $82,392 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBentley UniversityMassachusetts Maritime Academy
Net price / yr$37,930$21,582
Total net cost$151,720$86,328
Median earnings, 10 yrs$120,959$82,392
Median debt$25,023$25,000
Payback2.1 yrs2.5 yrs
20-year net return$1,300,260$594,312

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Bentley University or Massachusetts Maritime Academy?

Massachusetts Maritime Academy, at $21,582 a year after aid versus $37,930 — a gap of $16,348 a year, or $65,392 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Bentley University or Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates earn more?

Bentley University graduates report a median $120,959 ten years after entry, $38,567 more than the $82,392 at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Bentley University or Massachusetts Maritime Academy?

Massachusetts Maritime Academy: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $25,023 at Bentley University, a difference of $23. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

87% of students finish at Bentley University, against 74% at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Bentley University vs Massachusetts Maritime Academy: frequently asked questions

Is Bentley University or Massachusetts Maritime Academy a better value?
Bentley University. It clears its $151,720 net cost in about 2.1 years versus 2.5 years at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, on median earnings of $120,959 vs $82,392 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Bentley University or Massachusetts Maritime Academy?
Massachusetts Maritime Academy: $21,582/yr net price after aid versus $37,930/yr at Bentley University — a difference of $16,348 a year, or about $65,392 over four years.
Do Bentley University or Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates earn more?
Bentley University graduates earn a median $120,959 ten years after entry, versus $82,392 at Massachusetts Maritime Academy — a $38,567 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.