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Berklee College of Music vs Anna Maria College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Boston MA · vs · Private nonprofit, Paxton MA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Anna Maria College comes closer — median earnings $46,651 against a $113,332 total, vs $33,647 at Berklee College of Music. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBerklee College of MusicAnna Maria College
Net price / yr$49,465$28,333
Total net cost$197,860$113,332
Median earnings, 10 yrs$33,647$46,651
Median debt$25,000$25,000
Payback
20-year net return-$492,120-$147,512

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

Which is cheaper, Berklee College of Music or Anna Maria College?

Anna Maria College, at $28,333 a year after aid versus $49,465 — a gap of $21,132 a year, or $84,528 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Berklee College of Music or Anna Maria College graduates earn more?

Anna Maria College graduates report a median $46,651 ten years after entry, $13,004 more than the $33,647 at Berklee College of Music. 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, Berklee College of Music or Anna Maria College?

Completers at both borrow a median $25,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at Berklee College of Music, against 46% at Anna Maria College. 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.

Berklee College of Music vs Anna Maria College: frequently asked questions

Is Berklee College of Music or Anna Maria College a better value?
Anna Maria College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Berklee College of Music or Anna Maria College?
Anna Maria College: $28,333/yr net price after aid versus $49,465/yr at Berklee College of Music — a difference of $21,132 a year, or about $84,528 over four years.
Do Berklee College of Music or Anna Maria College graduates earn more?
Anna Maria College graduates earn a median $46,651 ten years after entry, versus $33,647 at Berklee College of Music — a $13,004 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.