University of Massachusetts-Amherst ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$69,428
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$25,347/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.7 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
630%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Massachusetts-Amherst has an in-state tuition of $17,357. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $51,780. Five years after graduation, the median earnings increase to $60,347, and ten years after graduation, the median earnings are $71,631. The median debt for students is $22,763, and 47.9% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio is calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings. For University of Massachusetts-Amherst, this ratio is approximately 0.44. This means the median debt is about 44% of the median one-year earnings.
To calculate the break-even timeline, the median debt is divided by the difference between the one-year earnings and the tuition cost. This calculation results in a break-even timeline of approximately 0.7 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$17,357
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,763
Median Earnings (5yr)
$60,347
Graduation Rate
83%
Receive Financial Aid
48%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $132,102 | 2697% |
| Psychology, General | $53,442 | 431% |
| Public Health | $80,321 | 1206% |
| Economics | $79,490 | 1182% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $91,394 | 1525% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $60,224 | 627% |
| Biology, General | $55,281 | 484% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $46,113 | 220% |
| Mathematics | $72,247 | 973% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $118,697 | 2311% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $83,610 | 1300% |
| Mechanical Engineering | $85,357 | 1351% |
Peer Comparison
630%
20yr ROI
901%
20yr ROI
824%
20yr ROI
1193%
20yr ROI
1009%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.