University of Massachusetts-Amherst vs Fitchburg State University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of Massachusetts-Amherst holds a 25-point ROI advantage over Fitchburg State University, scoring 83/100 versus 58/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Fitchburg State University comes in at $14,262 per year (net price after aid) versus $22,383 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst - a difference of $8,121 annually, or roughly $32,484 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduates earn a median of $71,631 compared to $53,874 at Fitchburg State University. The payback period is 6.3 years at University of Massachusetts-Amherst versus 10.4 years at Fitchburg State University.
Graduates leave University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a median $22,763 in debt versus $24,239 at Fitchburg State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.52 and 0.64 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Massachuset... | Fitchburg State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $17,772 | $11,346 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,449 | $17,426 |
| Net Price (avg) | $22,383 | $14,262 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $89,532 | $57,048 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $44,200 | $37,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $71,631 | $53,874 |
| Graduation Rate | 83.3% | 55.1% |
| Payback Period | 6.3 yr | 10.4 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $22,763 | $24,239 |
| Monthly Payment | $241 | $257 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.52 | 0.64 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 83.5% | 76.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 78.7% | 71.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 59.7% | 86.9% |
| Enrollment | 23,671 | 2,752 |
| SAT Range | 1310-1500 | 1060-1230 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Massac... | Fitchburg State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $10,164 | $10,204 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,456 | $11,199 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $12,932 | $11,540 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $18,964 | $15,571 |
| $110,001+ | $30,793 | $21,123 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Massac... | Fitchburg State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $92,623 | $64,528 |
| Registered Nursing | $90,309 | $92,187 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $73,238 | $60,768 |
| Biology | $72,726 | $65,991 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $60,891 | $46,129 |
| International Relations | $60,726 | $29,600 |
| History | $56,597 | $46,184 |
| Psychology | $51,274 | $50,046 |
| English Language and Literature | $48,475 | $51,141 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Massac... | Fitchburg State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 83 | 73 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 88 | 59 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 70 | 41 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 92 | 50 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 81 | 58 |
| Overall ROI Score | 83 | 58 |
The Verdict
University of Massachusetts-Amherst significantly outperforms Fitchburg State University on financial ROI (83 vs 58). The 25-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Fitchburg State University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
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University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Fitchburg State University
Below Average Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.