Berklee College of Music vs Springfield College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Springfield College comes closer — median earnings $48,036 against a $122,348 total, vs $33,647 at Berklee College of Music. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Berklee College of Music | Springfield College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $49,465 | $30,587 |
| Total net cost | $197,860 | $122,348 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $33,647 | $48,036 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $26,250 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$492,120 | -$128,828 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Berklee College of Music or Springfield College?
Springfield College, at $30,587 a year after aid versus $49,465 — a gap of $18,878 a year, or $75,512 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 Springfield College graduates earn more?
Springfield College graduates report a median $48,036 ten years after entry, $14,389 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 Springfield College?
Berklee College of Music: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,250 at Springfield College, a difference of $1,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
74% of students finish at Springfield College, against 67% at Berklee College of Music. 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.