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Tufts University vs Emmanuel College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Medford MA · vs · Private nonprofit, Boston MA

The verdict

Tufts University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $159,992 in 4.6 years versus 5.4 years at Emmanuel College, on median earnings of $83,214 vs $68,245 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureTufts UniversityEmmanuel College
Net price / yr$39,998$26,706
Total net cost$159,992$106,824
Median earnings, 10 yrs$83,214$68,245
Median debt$16,250$27,000
Payback4.6 yrs5.4 yrs
20-year net return$537,088$290,876

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

Which is cheaper, Tufts University or Emmanuel College?

Emmanuel College, at $26,706 a year after aid versus $39,998 — a gap of $13,292 a year, or $53,168 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Tufts University or Emmanuel College graduates earn more?

Tufts University graduates report a median $83,214 ten years after entry, $14,969 more than the $68,245 at Emmanuel 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, Tufts University or Emmanuel College?

Tufts University: its completers carry a median $16,250 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Emmanuel College, a difference of $10,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

94% of students finish at Tufts University, against 68% at Emmanuel 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.

Tufts University vs Emmanuel College: frequently asked questions

Is Tufts University or Emmanuel College a better value?
Tufts University. It clears its $159,992 net cost in about 4.6 years versus 5.4 years at Emmanuel College, on median earnings of $83,214 vs $68,245 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Tufts University or Emmanuel College?
Emmanuel College: $26,706/yr net price after aid versus $39,998/yr at Tufts University — a difference of $13,292 a year, or about $53,168 over four years.
Do Tufts University or Emmanuel College graduates earn more?
Tufts University graduates earn a median $83,214 ten years after entry, versus $68,245 at Emmanuel College — a $14,969 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.