University of Massachusetts-Amherst vs The University of Texas at Dallas
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 and The University of Texas at Dallas are closely matched on financial return. University of Massachusetts-Amherst scores 83/100 while The University of Texas at Dallas scores 84/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, The University of Texas at Dallas comes in at $18,267 per year (net price after aid) versus $22,383 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst - a difference of $4,116 annually, or roughly $16,464 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduates earn a median of $71,631 compared to $68,227 at The University of Texas at Dallas. The payback period is 6.3 years at University of Massachusetts-Amherst versus 6.4 years at The University of Texas at Dallas.
Graduates leave The University of Texas at Dallas with a median $18,000 in debt versus $22,763 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.52 and 0.38 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Massachuset... | The University of Texas a... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $17,772 | $14,644 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,449 | $40,144 |
| Net Price (avg) | $22,383 | $18,267 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $89,532 | $73,068 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $44,200 | $47,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $71,631 | $68,227 |
| Graduation Rate | 83.3% | 75.7% |
| Payback Period | 6.3 yr | 6.4 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $22,763 | $18,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $241 | $191 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.52 | 0.38 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 83.5% | 73.6% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 78.7% | 70.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 59.7% | 65.1% |
| Enrollment | 23,671 | 21,751 |
| SAT Range | 1310-1500 | 1160-1410 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Massac... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $10,164 | $12,814 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,456 | $13,510 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $12,932 | $14,030 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $18,964 | $19,892 |
| $110,001+ | $30,793 | $26,596 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Massac... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $113,083 | $112,666 |
| Electrical Engineering | $101,091 | $104,448 |
| Accounting | $100,516 | $82,629 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $96,999 | $90,102 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $96,995 | $86,484 |
| Marketing | $86,299 | $73,732 |
| Mathematics | $83,338 | $69,383 |
| Economics | $80,434 | $75,479 |
| Chemistry | $78,373 | $63,472 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $77,853 | $50,432 |
| Biology | $72,726 | $58,540 |
| International Relations | $60,726 | $65,869 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $63,620 | $49,834 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $63,383 | $57,864 |
| History | $56,597 | $61,321 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Massac... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 83 | 87 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 88 | 87 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 70 | 89 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 92 | 86 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 81 | 50 |
| Overall ROI Score | 83 | 84 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. The University of Texas at Dallas edges out University of Massachusetts-Amherst by 1 points (84 vs 83), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
The University of Texas at Dallas
Strong 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.