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Curry College vs College of Our Lady of the Elms: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Milton MA · vs · Private nonprofit, Chicopee MA

The verdict

Curry College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $116,828 in 19.3 years versus 22.1 years at College of Our Lady of the Elms, on median earnings of $54,400 vs $51,540 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCurry CollegeCollege of Our Lady of the Elms
Net price / yr$29,207$17,545
Total net cost$116,828$70,180
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,400$51,540
Median debt$25,000$25,000
Payback19.3 yrs22.1 yrs
20-year net return$3,972-$6,580

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

Which is cheaper, Curry College or College of Our Lady of the Elms?

College of Our Lady of the Elms, at $17,545 a year after aid versus $29,207 — a gap of $11,662 a year, or $46,648 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Curry College or College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates earn more?

Curry College graduates report a median $54,400 ten years after entry, $2,860 more than the $51,540 at College of Our Lady of the Elms. 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, Curry College or College of Our Lady of the Elms?

Completers at both borrow a median $25,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

Which graduates more of its students?

68% of students finish at College of Our Lady of the Elms, against 51% at Curry 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.

Curry College vs College of Our Lady of the Elms: frequently asked questions

Is Curry College or College of Our Lady of the Elms a better value?
Curry College. It clears its $116,828 net cost in about 19.3 years versus 22.1 years at College of Our Lady of the Elms, on median earnings of $54,400 vs $51,540 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Curry College or College of Our Lady of the Elms?
College of Our Lady of the Elms: $17,545/yr net price after aid versus $29,207/yr at Curry College — a difference of $11,662 a year, or about $46,648 over four years.
Do Curry College or College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates earn more?
Curry College graduates earn a median $54,400 ten years after entry, versus $51,540 at College of Our Lady of the Elms — a $2,860 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.