University of Massachusetts-Amherst vs Massachusetts Bay Community College: which has better ROI?
Massachusetts Bay Community College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $14,338 in 3.3 years versus 3.8 years at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, on median earnings of $52,654 vs $71,631 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Massachusetts Bay Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,383 | $7,169 |
| Total net cost | $89,532 | $14,338 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $71,631 | $52,654 |
| Median debt | $22,763 | $6,500 |
| Payback | 3.8 yrs | 3.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $375,888 | $71,542 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Massachusetts-Amherst or Massachusetts Bay Community College?
Massachusetts Bay Community College, at $7,169 a year after aid versus $22,383 — a gap of $15,214 a year, or $75,194 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Massachusetts-Amherst or Massachusetts Bay Community College graduates earn more?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduates report a median $71,631 ten years after entry, $18,977 more than the $52,654 at Massachusetts Bay 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, University of Massachusetts-Amherst or Massachusetts Bay Community College?
Massachusetts Bay Community College: its completers carry a median $6,500 in federal loans versus $22,763 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, a difference of $16,263. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
83% of students finish at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, against 17% at Massachusetts Bay 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.