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Massachusetts College of Art and Design vs Anna Maria College: which has better ROI?

Public, Boston MA · vs · Private nonprofit, Paxton MA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Anna Maria College comes closer — median earnings $46,651 against a $113,332 total, vs $43,582 at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMassachusetts College of Art and DesignAnna Maria College
Net price / yr$24,100$28,333
Total net cost$96,400$113,332
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,582$46,651
Median debt$25,755$25,000
Payback
20-year net return-$191,960-$147,512

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

Which is cheaper, Massachusetts College of Art and Design or Anna Maria College?

Massachusetts College of Art and Design, at $24,100 a year after aid versus $28,333 — a gap of $4,233 a year, or $16,932 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Massachusetts College of Art and Design or Anna Maria College graduates earn more?

Anna Maria College graduates report a median $46,651 ten years after entry, $3,069 more than the $43,582 at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. 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, Massachusetts College of Art and Design or Anna Maria College?

Anna Maria College: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $25,755 at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, a difference of $755. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, against 46% at Anna Maria 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.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design vs Anna Maria College: frequently asked questions

Is Massachusetts College of Art and Design or Anna Maria College a better value?
Anna Maria College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Massachusetts College of Art and Design or Anna Maria College?
Massachusetts College of Art and Design: $24,100/yr net price after aid versus $28,333/yr at Anna Maria College — a difference of $4,233 a year, or about $16,932 over four years.
Do Massachusetts College of Art and Design or Anna Maria College graduates earn more?
Anna Maria College graduates earn a median $46,651 ten years after entry, versus $43,582 at Massachusetts College of Art and Design — a $3,069 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.