Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

University of Massachusetts-Amherst vs Wentworth Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

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 Wentworth Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $71,631 vs $82,721 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Massachusetts-AmherstWentworth Institute of Technology
Net price / yr$22,383$34,170
Total net cost$89,532$136,680
Median earnings, 10 yrs$71,631$82,721
Median debt$22,763$25,028
Payback3.8 yrs4 yrs
20-year net return$375,888$550,540

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

Which is cheaper, University of Massachusetts-Amherst or Wentworth Institute of Technology?

University of Massachusetts-Amherst, at $22,383 a year after aid versus $34,170 — a gap of $11,787 a year, or $47,148 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 Wentworth Institute of Technology graduates earn more?

Wentworth Institute of Technology graduates report a median $82,721 ten years after entry, $11,090 more than the $71,631 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. 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 Wentworth Institute of Technology?

University of Massachusetts-Amherst: its completers carry a median $22,763 in federal loans versus $25,028 at Wentworth Institute of Technology, a difference of $2,265. 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 68% at Wentworth Institute of Technology. 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.

University of Massachusetts-Amherst vs Wentworth Institute of Technology: frequently asked questions

Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst or Wentworth Institute of Technology a better value?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst. It clears its $89,532 net cost in about 3.8 years versus 4 years at Wentworth Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $71,631 vs $82,721 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Massachusetts-Amherst or Wentworth Institute of Technology?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst: $22,383/yr net price after aid versus $34,170/yr at Wentworth Institute of Technology — a difference of $11,787 a year, or about $47,148 over four years.
Do University of Massachusetts-Amherst or Wentworth Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Wentworth Institute of Technology graduates earn a median $82,721 ten years after entry, versus $71,631 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst — a $11,090 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.