Degree Dividend
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Berklee College of Music vs Massasoit Community College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Boston MA · vs · Public, Brockton MA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Massasoit Community College comes closer — median earnings $46,111 against a $16,920 total, vs $33,647 at Berklee College of Music. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBerklee College of MusicMassasoit Community College
Net price / yr$49,465$8,460
Total net cost$197,860$16,920
Median earnings, 10 yrs$33,647$46,111
Median debt$25,000$10,000
Payback
20-year net return-$492,120-$61,900

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

Which is cheaper, Berklee College of Music or Massasoit Community College?

Massasoit Community College, at $8,460 a year after aid versus $49,465 — a gap of $41,005 a year, or $180,940 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 Massasoit Community College graduates earn more?

Massasoit Community College graduates report a median $46,111 ten years after entry, $12,464 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 Massasoit Community College?

Massasoit Community College: its completers carry a median $10,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Berklee College of Music, a difference of $15,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at Berklee College of Music, against 19% at Massasoit Community 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 Massasoit Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Berklee College of Music or Massasoit Community College a better value?
Massasoit Community 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 Massasoit Community College?
Massasoit Community College: $8,460/yr net price after aid versus $49,465/yr at Berklee College of Music — a difference of $41,005 a year, or about $180,940 over four years.
Do Berklee College of Music or Massasoit Community College graduates earn more?
Massasoit Community College graduates earn a median $46,111 ten years after entry, versus $33,647 at Berklee College of Music — a $12,464 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.