Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Babson College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Cambridge MA · vs · Private nonprofit, Wellesley MA

The verdict

Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $80,444 in 0.8 years versus 2.1 years at Babson College, on median earnings of $143,372 vs $123,938 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyBabson College
Net price / yr$20,111$40,514
Total net cost$80,444$162,056
Median earnings, 10 yrs$143,372$123,938
Median debt$14,768$20,000
Payback0.8 yrs2.1 yrs
20-year net return$1,819,796$1,349,504

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

Which is cheaper, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Babson College?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, at $20,111 a year after aid versus $40,514 — a gap of $20,403 a year, or $81,612 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 Institute of Technology or Babson College graduates earn more?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates report a median $143,372 ten years after entry, $19,434 more than the $123,938 at Babson 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 Institute of Technology or Babson College?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology: its completers carry a median $14,768 in federal loans versus $20,000 at Babson College, a difference of $5,232. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

96% of students finish at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, against 93% at Babson 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 Institute of Technology vs Babson College: frequently asked questions

Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Babson College a better value?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It clears its $80,444 net cost in about 0.8 years versus 2.1 years at Babson College, on median earnings of $143,372 vs $123,938 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Babson College?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology: $20,111/yr net price after aid versus $40,514/yr at Babson College — a difference of $20,403 a year, or about $81,612 over four years.
Do Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Babson College graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a median $143,372 ten years after entry, versus $123,938 at Babson College — a $19,434 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.