Boston University vs Massachusetts Bay Community College: which has better ROI?
Boston University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $97,608 in 2.8 years versus 3.3 years at Massachusetts Bay Community College, on median earnings of $83,238 vs $52,654 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Boston University | Massachusetts Bay Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,402 | $7,169 |
| Total net cost | $97,608 | $14,338 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $83,238 | $52,654 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $6,500 |
| Payback | 2.8 yrs | 3.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $599,952 | $71,542 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Boston University or Massachusetts Bay Community College?
Massachusetts Bay Community College, at $7,169 a year after aid versus $24,402 — a gap of $17,233 a year, or $83,270 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 Massachusetts Bay Community College graduates earn more?
Boston University graduates report a median $83,238 ten years after entry, $30,584 more than the $52,654 at Massachusetts Bay 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, Boston University or Massachusetts Bay Community College?
Massachusetts Bay Community College: its completers carry a median $6,500 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Boston University, a difference of $16,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
89% of students finish at Boston University, against 17% at Massachusetts Bay 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.