Emerson College vs Framingham State University: which has better ROI?
Emerson College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $196,720 in 13.6 years versus 16.2 years at Framingham State University, on median earnings of $62,832 vs $52,349 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Emerson College | Framingham State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $49,180 | $16,114 |
| Total net cost | $196,720 | $64,456 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,832 | $52,349 |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 13.6 yrs | 16.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $92,720 | $15,324 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Emerson College or Framingham State University?
Framingham State University, at $16,114 a year after aid versus $49,180 — a gap of $33,066 a year, or $132,264 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Emerson College or Framingham State University graduates earn more?
Emerson College graduates report a median $62,832 ten years after entry, $10,483 more than the $52,349 at Framingham State 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, Emerson College or Framingham State University?
Emerson College: its completers carry a median $23,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Framingham State University, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at Emerson College, against 48% at Framingham State 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.