Degree Dividend
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Berkshire Community College vs Hampshire College: which has better ROI?

Public, Pittsfield MA · vs · Private nonprofit, Amherst MA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Hampshire College comes closer — median earnings $46,938 against a $96,136 total, vs $38,832 at Berkshire Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBerkshire Community CollegeHampshire College
Net price / yr$9,921$24,034
Total net cost$19,842$96,136
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,832$46,938
Median debt$12,053$26,893
Payback
20-year net return-$210,402-$124,576

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

Which is cheaper, Berkshire Community College or Hampshire College?

Berkshire Community College, at $9,921 a year after aid versus $24,034 — a gap of $14,113 a year, or $76,294 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Berkshire Community College or Hampshire College graduates earn more?

Hampshire College graduates report a median $46,938 ten years after entry, $8,106 more than the $38,832 at Berkshire Community College. 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, Berkshire Community College or Hampshire College?

Berkshire Community College: its completers carry a median $12,053 in federal loans versus $26,893 at Hampshire College, a difference of $14,840. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

54% of students finish at Hampshire College, against 20% at Berkshire 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.

Berkshire Community College vs Hampshire College: frequently asked questions

Is Berkshire Community College or Hampshire College a better value?
Hampshire 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, Berkshire Community College or Hampshire College?
Berkshire Community College: $9,921/yr net price after aid versus $24,034/yr at Hampshire College — a difference of $14,113 a year, or about $76,294 over four years.
Do Berkshire Community College or Hampshire College graduates earn more?
Hampshire College graduates earn a median $46,938 ten years after entry, versus $38,832 at Berkshire Community College — a $8,106 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.