Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts vs Cambridge College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts comes closer — median earnings $48,102 against a $64,272 total, vs $45,998 at Cambridge College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts | Cambridge College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,068 | $31,072 |
| Total net cost | $64,272 | $124,288 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,102 | $45,998 |
| Median debt | $23,750 | $21,791 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$69,432 | -$171,528 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts or Cambridge College?
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, at $16,068 a year after aid versus $31,072 — a gap of $15,004 a year, or $60,016 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 Liberal Arts or Cambridge College graduates earn more?
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates report a median $48,102 ten years after entry, $2,104 more than the $45,998 at Cambridge 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, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts or Cambridge College?
Cambridge College: its completers carry a median $21,791 in federal loans versus $23,750 at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, a difference of $1,959. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
56% of students finish at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, against 11% at Cambridge 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.