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Boston University vs Babson College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Boston MA · vs · Private nonprofit, Wellesley MA

The verdict

Babson College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $162,056 in 2.1 years versus 2.8 years at Boston University, on median earnings of $123,938 vs $83,238 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBoston UniversityBabson College
Net price / yr$24,402$40,514
Total net cost$97,608$162,056
Median earnings, 10 yrs$83,238$123,938
Median debt$23,250$20,000
Payback2.8 yrs2.1 yrs
20-year net return$599,952$1,349,504

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

Which is cheaper, Boston University or Babson College?

Boston University, at $24,402 a year after aid versus $40,514 — a gap of $16,112 a year, or $64,448 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Boston University or Babson College graduates earn more?

Babson College graduates report a median $123,938 ten years after entry, $40,700 more than the $83,238 at Boston University. 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, Boston University or Babson College?

Babson College: its completers carry a median $20,000 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Boston University, a difference of $3,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

93% of students finish at Babson College, against 89% at Boston University. 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.

Boston University vs Babson College: frequently asked questions

Is Boston University or Babson College a better value?
Babson College. It clears its $162,056 net cost in about 2.1 years versus 2.8 years at Boston University, on median earnings of $123,938 vs $83,238 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Boston University or Babson College?
Boston University: $24,402/yr net price after aid versus $40,514/yr at Babson College — a difference of $16,112 a year, or about $64,448 over four years.
Do Boston University or Babson College graduates earn more?
Babson College graduates earn a median $123,938 ten years after entry, versus $83,238 at Boston University — a $40,700 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.