Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

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

Private nonprofit, Boston MA · vs · Private nonprofit, Chicopee MA

The verdict

College of Our Lady of the Elms has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $70,180 in 22.1 years versus 81.4 years at Fisher College, on median earnings of $51,540 vs $49,669 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureFisher CollegeCollege of Our Lady of the Elms
Net price / yr$26,649$17,545
Total net cost$106,596$70,180
Median earnings, 10 yrs$49,669$51,540
Median debt$25,000$25,000
Payback81.4 yrs22.1 yrs
20-year net return-$80,416-$6,580

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

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

College of Our Lady of the Elms, at $17,545 a year after aid versus $26,649 — a gap of $9,104 a year, or $36,416 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

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

College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates report a median $51,540 ten years after entry, $1,871 more than the $49,669 at Fisher 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, Fisher 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 28% at Fisher 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.

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

Is Fisher College or College of Our Lady of the Elms a better value?
College of Our Lady of the Elms. It clears its $70,180 net cost in about 22.1 years versus 81.4 years at Fisher College, on median earnings of $51,540 vs $49,669 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Fisher College or College of Our Lady of the Elms?
College of Our Lady of the Elms: $17,545/yr net price after aid versus $26,649/yr at Fisher College — a difference of $9,104 a year, or about $36,416 over four years.
Do Fisher College or College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates earn more?
College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates earn a median $51,540 ten years after entry, versus $49,669 at Fisher College — a $1,871 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.