University of Massachusetts-Amherst vs University of Massachusetts-Boston: which has better ROI?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,532 in 3.8 years versus 4 years at University of Massachusetts-Boston, on median earnings of $71,631 vs $65,865 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Massachusetts-Amherst | University of Massachusetts-Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,383 | $17,707 |
| Total net cost | $89,532 | $70,828 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $71,631 | $65,865 |
| Median debt | $22,763 | $21,974 |
| Payback | 3.8 yrs | 4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $375,888 | $279,272 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Massachusetts-Amherst or University of Massachusetts-Boston?
University of Massachusetts-Boston, at $17,707 a year after aid versus $22,383 — a gap of $4,676 a year, or $18,704 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates earn more?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduates report a median $71,631 ten years after entry, $5,766 more than the $65,865 at University of Massachusetts-Boston. 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston?
University of Massachusetts-Boston: its completers carry a median $21,974 in federal loans versus $22,763 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, a difference of $789. 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 49% at University of Massachusetts-Boston. 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.