Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Northeastern University vs Bunker Hill Community College: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Northeastern University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $123,660 in 2.8 years versus not at all at Bunker Hill Community College, on median earnings of $92,538 vs $47,618 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureNortheastern UniversityBunker Hill Community College
Net price / yr$30,915$7,818
Total net cost$123,660$15,636
Median earnings, 10 yrs$92,538$47,618
Median debt$24,250$10,500
Payback2.8 yrs
20-year net return$759,900-$30,476

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

Which is cheaper, Northeastern University or Bunker Hill Community College?

Bunker Hill Community College, at $7,818 a year after aid versus $30,915 — a gap of $23,097 a year, or $108,024 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Northeastern University or Bunker Hill Community College graduates earn more?

Northeastern University graduates report a median $92,538 ten years after entry, $44,920 more than the $47,618 at Bunker Hill 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, Northeastern University or Bunker Hill Community College?

Bunker Hill Community College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $24,250 at Northeastern University, a difference of $13,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

91% of students finish at Northeastern University, against 13% at Bunker Hill 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.

Northeastern University vs Bunker Hill Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Northeastern University or Bunker Hill Community College a better value?
Northeastern University. It clears its $123,660 net cost in about 2.8 years versus no clear payback at Bunker Hill Community College, on median earnings of $92,538 vs $47,618 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Northeastern University or Bunker Hill Community College?
Bunker Hill Community College: $7,818/yr net price after aid versus $30,915/yr at Northeastern University — a difference of $23,097 a year, or about $108,024 over four years.
Do Northeastern University or Bunker Hill Community College graduates earn more?
Northeastern University graduates earn a median $92,538 ten years after entry, versus $47,618 at Bunker Hill Community College — a $44,920 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.