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Berkshire Community College vs Spa Tech Institute-Plymouth: which has better ROI?

Public, Pittsfield MA · vs · Private for-profit, Plymouth MA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Berkshire Community College comes closer — median earnings $38,832 against a $19,842 total, vs $27,803 at Spa Tech Institute-Plymouth. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBerkshire Community CollegeSpa Tech Institute-Plymouth
Net price / yr$9,921$31,895
Total net cost$19,842$127,580
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,832$27,803
Median debt$12,053$6,333
Payback
20-year net return-$210,402-$538,720

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

Which is cheaper, Berkshire Community College or Spa Tech Institute-Plymouth?

Berkshire Community College, at $9,921 a year after aid versus $31,895 — a gap of $21,974 a year, or $107,738 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 Spa Tech Institute-Plymouth graduates earn more?

Berkshire Community College graduates report a median $38,832 ten years after entry, $11,029 more than the $27,803 at Spa Tech Institute-Plymouth. 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 Spa Tech Institute-Plymouth?

Spa Tech Institute-Plymouth: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $12,053 at Berkshire Community College, a difference of $5,720. 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 Spa Tech Institute-Plymouth, 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 Spa Tech Institute-Plymouth: frequently asked questions

Is Berkshire Community College or Spa Tech Institute-Plymouth a better value?
Berkshire 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, Berkshire Community College or Spa Tech Institute-Plymouth?
Berkshire Community College: $9,921/yr net price after aid versus $31,895/yr at Spa Tech Institute-Plymouth — a difference of $21,974 a year, or about $107,738 over four years.
Do Berkshire Community College or Spa Tech Institute-Plymouth graduates earn more?
Berkshire Community College graduates earn a median $38,832 ten years after entry, versus $27,803 at Spa Tech Institute-Plymouth — a $11,029 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.