Amherst, MA · Private University
Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$71,631
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$17,357
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$39,293
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$157,172
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.82x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
83.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,763
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$23,691
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduates earn $26,631 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Massachusetts-Amherst ranked by graduate earnings
191 graduates
72 graduates
50 graduates
74 graduates
219 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Massachusetts-Amherst, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $111,935) and the lowest (Nutrition Sciences: $24,746) is $87,189/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $111,935 | 2.9x |
| Computer Engineering | $109,618 | 2.8x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $96,212 | 2.5x |
| Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs | $89,862 | 2.3x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $85,464 | 2.2x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $85,357 | 2.2x |
| Chemical Engineering | $84,792 | 2.2x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $83,610 | 2.1x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $81,555 | 2.1x |
| Civil Engineering | $80,416 | 2.0x |
| Economics | $79,490 | 2.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $75,408 | 1.9x |
| Mathematics | $72,247 | 1.8x |
| Industrial Engineering(1yr data) | $70,554 | 1.8x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $65,089 | 1.7x |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology(1yr data) | $64,939 | 1.6x |
| Food Science and Technology | $63,063 | 1.6x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $62,835 | 1.6x |
| Marketing | $62,209 | 1.6x |
| Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) | $60,512 | 1.5x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $60,293 | 1.5x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $60,224 | 1.5x |
| Public Health | $59,268 | 1.5x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $59,208 | 1.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $59,153 | 1.5x |
| Animal Sciences | $56,557 | 1.4x |
| Biology, General | $55,281 | 1.4x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $55,230 | 1.4x |
| Sociology | $53,721 | 1.4x |
| Psychology, General | $53,442 | 1.4x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $50,529 | 1.3x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $50,238 | 1.3x |
| History | $49,949 | 1.3x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $49,218 | 1.3x |
| Journalism | $47,930 | 1.2x |
| Business/Managerial Economics(1yr data) | $46,170 | 1.2x |
| Landscape Architecture(1yr data) | $46,163 | 1.2x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $46,113 | 1.2x |
| Anthropology | $45,584 | 1.2x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $44,644 | 1.1x |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $42,482 | 1.1x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $42,130 | 1.1x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $41,501 | 1.1x |
| Plant Sciences(1yr data) | $37,170 | 0.9x |
| Agricultural Production Operations | $33,420 | 0.8x |
| Nutrition SciencesLowest(1yr data) | $24,746 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | 1.82x | $71,631 | Good ROI |
| University of Connecticut | 1.72x | $73,997 | Good ROI |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | 2.07x | $74,479 | Strong ROI |
| Stony Brook University | 2.46x | $74,502 | Strong ROI |
| University of Vermont | 1.42x | $62,472 | Average ROI |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | 1.66x | $66,125 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Massachusetts-Amherst offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $71,631 10 years after starting — $26,631 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.3 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.