University of Massachusetts-Boston vs University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth: which has better ROI?
University of Massachusetts-Boston has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $70,828 in 4 years versus 4.1 years at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, on median earnings of $65,865 vs $68,804 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Massachusetts-Boston | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,707 | $20,927 |
| Total net cost | $70,828 | $83,708 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $65,865 | $68,804 |
| Median debt | $21,974 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 4 yrs | 4.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $279,272 | $325,172 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Massachusetts-Boston or University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth?
University of Massachusetts-Boston, at $17,707 a year after aid versus $20,927 — a gap of $3,220 a year, or $12,880 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-Boston or University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth graduates earn more?
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth graduates report a median $68,804 ten years after entry, $2,939 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-Boston or University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth?
University of Massachusetts-Boston: its completers carry a median $21,974 in federal loans versus $25,000 at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, a difference of $3,026. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
52% of students finish at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, 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.