Best Economics Degrees in Massachusetts by ROI
Colleges in Massachusetts ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Massachusetts
19
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$251,206
Across Massachusetts programs
Average Annual Cost
$67,945
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Harvard University
Grad rate: 97.5% |
+$825,419 | $100,286 | $82,842 | $6,617 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Amherst College
Grad rate: 92.7% |
+$700,306 | $94,870 | $83,650 | $16,662 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Williams College
Grad rate: 95.8% |
+$652,355 | $91,723 | $81,164 | $12,925 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Tufts University
Grad rate: 93.5% |
+$471,702 | $83,710 | $84,600 | $17,850 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
College of the Holy Cross
Grad rate: 90.3% |
+$453,150 | $81,782 | $76,510 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Wellesley College
Grad rate: 90.7% |
+$414,573 | $80,094 | $83,050 | $11,190 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Boston College
Grad rate: 91.0% |
+$360,528 | $77,978 | $83,683 | $18,000 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Northeastern University
Grad rate: 90.8% |
+$281,473 | $73,998 | $81,353 | $24,500 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Grad rate: 83.1% |
+$262,764 | $63,571 | $33,389 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Brandeis University
Grad rate: 86.7% |
+$213,159 | $70,790 | $82,123 | $25,295 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Stonehill College
Grad rate: 79.9% |
+$168,402 | $65,790 | $68,412 | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Boston University
Grad rate: 89.5% |
+$155,509 | $67,968 | $82,694 | $24,500 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Westfield State University
Grad rate: 57.4% |
+$84,310 | $53,190 | $26,435 | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Clark University
Grad rate: 76.7% |
+$26,606 | $58,038 | $64,426 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Grad rate: 51.1% |
+$25,746 | $51,049 | $29,698 | $26,994 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Economics Degrees by State
Browse Economics programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.