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Curry College vs Lesley University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Milton MA · vs · Private nonprofit, Cambridge MA

The verdict

Curry College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $116,828 in 19.3 years versus 44.3 years at Lesley University, on median earnings of $54,400 vs $51,173 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCurry CollegeLesley University
Net price / yr$29,207$31,152
Total net cost$116,828$124,608
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,400$51,173
Median debt$25,000$21,000
Payback19.3 yrs44.3 yrs
20-year net return$3,972-$68,348

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

Which is cheaper, Curry College or Lesley University?

Curry College, at $29,207 a year after aid versus $31,152 — a gap of $1,945 a year, or $7,780 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 Lesley University graduates earn more?

Curry College graduates report a median $54,400 ten years after entry, $3,227 more than the $51,173 at Lesley 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, Curry College or Lesley University?

Lesley University: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Curry College, a difference of $4,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

58% of students finish at Lesley University, 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 Lesley University: frequently asked questions

Is Curry College or Lesley University a better value?
Curry College. It clears its $116,828 net cost in about 19.3 years versus 44.3 years at Lesley University, on median earnings of $54,400 vs $51,173 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Curry College or Lesley University?
Curry College: $29,207/yr net price after aid versus $31,152/yr at Lesley University — a difference of $1,945 a year, or about $7,780 over four years.
Do Curry College or Lesley University graduates earn more?
Curry College graduates earn a median $54,400 ten years after entry, versus $51,173 at Lesley University — a $3,227 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.