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Middlesex Community College vs Bentley University: which has better ROI?

Public, Bedford MA · vs · Private nonprofit, Waltham MA

The verdict

Bentley University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $151,720 in 2.1 years versus 2.3 years at Middlesex Community College, on median earnings of $120,959 vs $50,651 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMiddlesex Community CollegeBentley University
Net price / yr$2,624$37,930
Total net cost$5,248$151,720
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,651$120,959
Median debt$7,291$25,023
Payback2.3 yrs2.1 yrs
20-year net return$40,572$1,300,260

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

Which is cheaper, Middlesex Community College or Bentley University?

Middlesex Community College, at $2,624 a year after aid versus $37,930 — a gap of $35,306 a year, or $146,472 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Middlesex Community College or Bentley University graduates earn more?

Bentley University graduates report a median $120,959 ten years after entry, $70,308 more than the $50,651 at Middlesex Community 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, Middlesex Community College or Bentley University?

Middlesex Community College: its completers carry a median $7,291 in federal loans versus $25,023 at Bentley University, a difference of $17,732. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

87% of students finish at Bentley University, against 23% at Middlesex Community 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.

Middlesex Community College vs Bentley University: frequently asked questions

Is Middlesex Community College or Bentley University a better value?
Bentley University. It clears its $151,720 net cost in about 2.1 years versus 2.3 years at Middlesex Community College, on median earnings of $120,959 vs $50,651 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Middlesex Community College or Bentley University?
Middlesex Community College: $2,624/yr net price after aid versus $37,930/yr at Bentley University — a difference of $35,306 a year, or about $146,472 over four years.
Do Middlesex Community College or Bentley University graduates earn more?
Bentley University graduates earn a median $120,959 ten years after entry, versus $50,651 at Middlesex Community College — a $70,308 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.