Best Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities 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
14
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$275,553
Across Massachusetts programs
Average Annual Cost
$45,972
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Bentley University
Grad rate: 88.1% |
+$280,492 | $73,196 | $77,082 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Salem State University
Grad rate: 55.2% |
-$188,020 | $38,122 | $27,615 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Framingham State University
Grad rate: 52.0% |
-$204,143 | $38,670 | $26,539 | $23,250 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Westfield State University
Grad rate: 57.4% |
-$211,430 | $38,538 | $26,435 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
Grad rate: 51.8% |
-$219,689 | $39,435 | $31,677 | $30,875 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Eastern Nazarene College
Grad rate: 42.6% |
-$256,202 | $39,537 | $41,948 | $29,000 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Bay Path University
Grad rate: 51.8% |
-$261,998 | $40,309 | $47,064 | $29,572 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Grad rate: 83.1% |
-$265,587 | $37,136 | $33,389 | $25,742 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Grad rate: 70.6% |
-$277,434 | $35,855 | $29,521 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Curry College
Grad rate: 50.3% |
-$331,264 | $37,748 | $61,556 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Endicott College
Grad rate: 76.7% |
-$336,677 | $37,716 | $57,533 | $15,456 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Lesley University
Grad rate: 61.6% |
-$402,280 | $33,760 | $49,226 | $30,057 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Dean College
Grad rate: 43.9% |
-$496,928 | $29,714 | $62,802 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Hampshire College
Grad rate: 58.8% |
-$686,591 | $23,704 | $71,224 | $26,500 | 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 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Degrees by State
Browse Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.