Best Fine and Studio Arts 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
21
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$387,290
Across Massachusetts programs
Average Annual Cost
$54,947
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Wellesley College
Grad rate: 90.7% |
+$74,960 | $62,358 | $83,050 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Framingham State University
Grad rate: 52.0% |
-$148,486 | $41,706 | $26,539 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Grad rate: 70.6% |
-$167,894 | $41,332 | $29,521 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Bridgewater State University
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$239,186 | $36,896 | $25,164 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Grad rate: 83.1% |
-$289,966 | $36,002 | $33,389 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Salem State University
Grad rate: 55.2% |
-$290,630 | $34,814 | $27,615 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Suffolk University
Grad rate: 60.1% |
-$306,868 | $39,221 | $62,822 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Williams College
Grad rate: 95.8% |
-$312,613 | $43,402 | $81,164 | $11,850 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Westfield State University
Grad rate: 57.4% |
-$362,430 | $30,988 | $26,435 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Northeastern University
Grad rate: 90.8% |
-$380,932 | $39,224 | $81,353 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Lesley University
Grad rate: 61.6% |
-$388,148 | $34,114 | $49,226 | $24,833 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Grad rate: 67.7% |
-$394,624 | $30,475 | $32,256 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Gordon College
Grad rate: 68.2% |
-$456,300 | $27,417 | $41,160 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Grad rate: 51.1% |
-$465,242 | $26,500 | $29,698 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Mount Holyoke College
Grad rate: 83.8% |
-$499,573 | $34,113 | $77,545 | $23,447 | 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 Fine and Studio Arts Degrees by State
Browse Fine and Studio Arts programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.