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University of Massachusetts-Boston
Boston, MA 11,512 Undergrads 56.4% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$30,544
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$17,707
After Aid
Median Earnings
$69,532
4yr Post-Grad
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$17,707
Peer Midpoint: $20,081
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)Completers only after graduation
$69,532Peer Midpoint: $60,428
Earnings (10yr Post-Enroll)All enrolled after enrollment
$65,865Peer Midpoint: $53,763
Graduation Rate56.4%
Peer Midpoint: 58.9%
Average Starting Age23.6
Warning: High average starting age indicates non-traditional students with prior work experience, which may inflate the median earnings shown.
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients44.0%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time85.1%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS75.0%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
83.8%
SAT Avg
1,194
SAT Reading
25th: 54058575th: 650
SAT Math
25th: 53058575th: 640
ACT Composite
25th: 222775th: 29
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$610k
+$143k
+$126k
Median Cost$18k/yr
+$547k
+$80k
+$62k
Full Cost$31k/yr
+$500k
+$33k
+$16k
ROI Efficiency Metrics⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
31
∞
Median Cost$18k/yr
40
98%
Full Cost$31k/yr
55
15%
Analysis Assumptions:
- Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).⚠️ Warning: The high average starting age or low completion rate may inflate the Median earnings and ROI shown.
- Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
- Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
- NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.
Social Impact ROINew⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.
Donor Return123%
Gov. Pell Grant ROINew⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.
Taxpayer Return-20%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Program ROI Analysis⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Certificates
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
CertCIP: 2613
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $42,394
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Bachelor's Degrees
Anthropology
BachCIP: 4502
Median Debt
$22,750
Earnings (4yr)
$43,053
Natl Median: $46,676
Lifetime Value Added
-$153k
Area Studies
BachCIP: 0501
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$39,729
Natl Median: $56,625
Lifetime Value Added
-$168k
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
BachCIP: 2602
Median Debt
$23,125
Earnings (4yr)
$85,296
Natl Median: $65,466
Lifetime Value Added
+$183k
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
BachCIP: 2699
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,681
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$21,127
Earnings (4yr)
$65,815
Natl Median: $57,214
Lifetime Value Added
+$34k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
BachCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$21,062
Earnings (4yr)
$72,746
Natl Median: $68,257
Lifetime Value Added
+$87k
Chemistry
BachCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$58,005
Natl Median: $65,120
Lifetime Value Added
-$38k
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
BachCIP: 1612
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,429
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Communication and Media Studies
BachCIP: 0901
Median Debt
$24,258
Earnings (4yr)
$60,411
Natl Median: $56,359
Lifetime Value Added
-$9k
Community Organization and Advocacy
BachCIP: 4402
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$60,440
Natl Median: $51,936
Lifetime Value Added
-$9k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
BachCIP: 1101
Median Debt
$21,585
Earnings (4yr)
$83,405
Natl Median: $92,374
Lifetime Value Added
+$168k
Computer Engineering
BachCIP: 1409
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $109,015
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Software and Media Applications
BachCIP: 1108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,894
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Criminal Justice and Corrections
BachCIP: 4301
Median Debt
$24,271
Earnings (4yr)
$62,222
Natl Median: $55,378
Lifetime Value Added
+$5k
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
BachCIP: 5005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $39,775
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Economics
BachCIP: 4506
Median Debt
$22,500
Earnings (4yr)
$70,552
Natl Median: $82,686
Lifetime Value Added
+$70k
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
BachCIP: 1410
Median Debt
$24,477
Earnings (4yr)
$100,902
Natl Median: $100,647
Lifetime Value Added
+$302k
English Language and Literature, General
BachCIP: 2301
Median Debt
$24,212
Earnings (4yr)
$53,347
Natl Median: $48,590
Lifetime Value Added
-$67k
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
BachCIP: 0502
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$53,509
Natl Median: $51,710
Lifetime Value Added
-$65k
Fine and Studio Arts
BachCIP: 5007
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$49,722
Natl Median: $41,367
Lifetime Value Added
-$97k
History
BachCIP: 5401
Median Debt
$23,801
Earnings (4yr)
$57,992
Natl Median: $50,680
Lifetime Value Added
-$29k
Human Resources Management and Services
BachCIP: 5210
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $68,069
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
International Relations and National Security Studies
BachCIP: 4509
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $66,596
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
International/Globalization Studies
BachCIP: 3020
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $59,972
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mathematics
BachCIP: 2701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$68,500
Natl Median: $69,562
Lifetime Value Added
+$44k
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
BachCIP: 3099
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,693
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Music
BachCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $42,892
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
BachCIP: 0301
Median Debt
$20,412
Earnings (4yr)
$61,382
Natl Median: $55,012
Lifetime Value Added
-$1k
Philosophy
BachCIP: 3801
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$54,868
Natl Median: $54,455
Lifetime Value Added
-$54k
Physics
BachCIP: 4008
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $76,786
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Political Science and Government
BachCIP: 4510
Median Debt
$21,500
Earnings (4yr)
$63,131
Natl Median: $63,293
Lifetime Value Added
+$13k
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$23,000
Earnings (4yr)
$52,200
Natl Median: $50,706
Lifetime Value Added
-$76k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
BachCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$24,100
Earnings (4yr)
$95,648
Natl Median: $88,910
Lifetime Value Added
+$262k
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
BachCIP: 1609
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$39,153
Natl Median: $55,000
Lifetime Value Added
-$173k
Social Sciences, General
BachCIP: 4501
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $53,366
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Social Work
BachCIP: 4407
Median Debt
$26,072
Earnings (4yr)
$51,034
Natl Median: $51,790
Lifetime Value Added
-$86k
Sociology
BachCIP: 4511
Median Debt
$25,250
Earnings (4yr)
$58,394
Natl Median: $52,657
Lifetime Value Added
-$25k
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
BachCIP: 3105
Median Debt
$22,993
Earnings (4yr)
$64,665
Natl Median: $54,562
Lifetime Value Added
+$25k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
BachCIP: 1312
Median Debt
$24,990
Earnings (4yr)
$56,460
Natl Median: $47,382
Lifetime Value Added
-$41k
Master's Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
MastCIP: 5203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$98,398
Natl Median: $95,833
Lifetime Value Added
+$194k
Archeology
MastCIP: 4503
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,995
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Area Studies
MastCIP: 0501
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $68,936
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biology, General
MastCIP: 2601
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,830
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations
MastCIP: 5202
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$112,398
Natl Median: $103,485
Lifetime Value Added
+$316k
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
MastCIP: 2604
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $76,837
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Chemistry
MastCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $82,937
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning
MastCIP: 0403
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $79,665
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
MastCIP: 4228
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$66,853
Natl Median: $65,184
Lifetime Value Added
-$83k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
MastCIP: 1101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $124,201
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Science
MastCIP: 1107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $145,571
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Dispute Resolution
MastCIP: 3028
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $74,725
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Economics
MastCIP: 4506
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $100,743
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Education, Other
MastCIP: 1399
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,348
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Educational Administration and Supervision
MastCIP: 1304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $71,685
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Educational/Instructional Media Design
MastCIP: 1305
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$108,956
Natl Median: $70,644
Lifetime Value Added
+$286k
English Language and Literature, General
MastCIP: 2301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$64,893
Natl Median: $55,512
Lifetime Value Added
-$100k
Finance and Financial Management Services
MastCIP: 5208
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $110,694
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Fine and Studio Arts
MastCIP: 5007
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,079
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Gerontology
MastCIP: 3011
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$71,482
Natl Median: $67,618
Lifetime Value Added
-$42k
History
MastCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$52,407
Natl Median: $55,360
Lifetime Value Added
-$216k
Human Services, General
MastCIP: 4400
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$58,221
Natl Median: $57,050
Lifetime Value Added
-$140k
International Business
MastCIP: 5211
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $97,121
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
International Relations and National Security Studies
MastCIP: 4509
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $95,627
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
MastCIP: 1601
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (4yr)
$67,132
Natl Median: $58,093
Lifetime Value Added
-$81k
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
MastCIP: 5213
Median Debt
$28,763
Earnings (4yr)
$112,856
Natl Median: $124,807
Lifetime Value Added
+$320k
Marine Sciences
MastCIP: 3032
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $66,840
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
MastCIP: 5115
Median Debt
$43,469
Earnings (4yr)
$68,868
Natl Median: $59,571
Lifetime Value Added
-$65k
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
MastCIP: 0301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $74,607
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Physics
MastCIP: 4008
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $96,478
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Public Administration
MastCIP: 4404
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$81,029
Natl Median: $81,408
Lifetime Value Added
+$42k
Public Health
MastCIP: 5122
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $82,751
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Public Policy Analysis
MastCIP: 4405
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $93,020
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
MastCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$35,661
Earnings (4yr)
$126,694
Natl Median: $120,193
Lifetime Value Added
+$440k
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
MastCIP: 5123
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $71,416
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Sociology
MastCIP: 4511
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,330
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Special Education and Teaching
MastCIP: 1310
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$70,150
Natl Median: $64,397
Lifetime Value Added
-$54k
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
MastCIP: 3105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,033
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Student Counseling and Personnel Services
MastCIP: 1311
Median Debt
$39,825
Earnings (4yr)
$63,123
Natl Median: $60,111
Lifetime Value Added
-$116k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
MastCIP: 1312
Median Debt
$24,000
Earnings (4yr)
$76,298
Natl Median: $59,916
Lifetime Value Added
+$42
Graduate Certificates
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Gr-CertCIP: 4228
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$69,721
Natl Median: $74,263
Lifetime Value Added
+$5k
Educational Administration and Supervision
Gr-CertCIP: 1304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$106,540
Natl Median: $92,532
Lifetime Value Added
+$348k
Educational/Instructional Media Design
Gr-CertCIP: 1305
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $75,166
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Political Science and Government
Gr-CertCIP: 4510
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$52,107
Natl Median: $112,003
Lifetime Value Added
-$136k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Gr-CertCIP: 5138
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$131,027
Natl Median: $126,507
Lifetime Value Added
+$574k
Special Education and Teaching
Gr-CertCIP: 1310
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$72,494
Natl Median: $69,147
Lifetime Value Added
+$30k
Doctoral Degrees
Biology, General
DocCIP: 2601
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $92,983
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Chemistry
DocCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $115,386
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
DocCIP: 4228
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$98,666
Natl Median: $99,878
Lifetime Value Added
+$21k
Computer Science
DocCIP: 1107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $178,476
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Education, General
DocCIP: 1301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $87,373
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Educational Administration and Supervision
DocCIP: 1304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $100,573
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Gerontology
DocCIP: 3011
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $86,625
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
DocCIP: 0301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $87,076
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Public Health
DocCIP: 5122
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $108,962
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Public Policy Analysis
DocCIP: 4405
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $119,220
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
DocCIP: 5138
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$115,339
Natl Median: $138,131
Lifetime Value Added
+$179k
Research and Experimental Psychology
DocCIP: 4227
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $103,410
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Sociology
DocCIP: 4511
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $88,618
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
DocCIP: 3105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $81,993
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.
For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.