University of Massachusetts-Amherst vs University of Connecticut

Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?

Too close to call - both schools are within 3 points

ROI Score Comparison

83
Strong Value
Earnings
83(0.41x)
Payback
88(6.3 yr)
Debt/Earn
70(0.52)
Completion
92(83%)
Repayment
81(84%)
University of ConnecticutPublic - Storrs, CT
85
Strong Value
Earnings
81(0.39x)
Payback
88(6.2 yr)
Debt/Earn
84(0.43)
Completion
92(83%)
Repayment
86(85%)

The Financial Comparison

University of Massachusetts-Amherst and University of Connecticut are closely matched on financial return. University of Massachusetts-Amherst scores 83/100 while University of Connecticut scores 85/100 - 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, University of Massachusetts-Amherst comes in at $22,383 per year (net price after aid) versus $25,097 at University of Connecticut - a difference of $2,714 annually, or roughly $10,856 over four years.

Ten years after enrollment, University of Connecticut graduates earn a median of $73,997 compared to $71,631 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. The payback period is 6.3 years at University of Massachusetts-Amherst versus 6.2 years at University of Connecticut.

Graduates leave University of Connecticut with a median $21,500 in debt versus $22,763 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.52 and 0.43 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.

Head-to-Head Numbers

MetricUniversity of Massachuset...University of Connecticut
Cost
In-State Tuition$17,772$21,044
Out-of-State Tuition$40,449$43,712
Net Price (avg)$22,383$25,097
Total 4-Year Cost$89,532$100,388
Outcomes
Median Earnings (6yr)$44,200$49,800
Median Earnings (10yr)$71,631$73,997
Graduation Rate83.3%83.3%
Payback Period6.3 yr6.2 yr
Debt
Median Debt$22,763$21,500
Monthly Payment$241$228
Debt-to-Earnings0.520.43
3yr Repayment Rate83.5%85.0%
5yr Repayment Rate78.7%82.6%
Admissions
Acceptance Rate59.7%52.4%
Enrollment23,67119,835
SAT Range1310-15001210-1440

Net Price by Family Income

Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.

Family IncomeUniversity of Massac...University of Connec...
$0-$30,000$10,164$15,193
$30,001-$48,000$10,456$16,339
$48,001-$75,000$12,932$20,608
$75,001-$110,000$18,964$28,285
$110,001+$30,793$33,797

Earnings by Major - Head to Head

Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.

MajorUniversity of Massac...University of Connec...
Computer Science$123,519$108,934
Computer Engineering$113,083$115,117
Industrial Engineering$97,791$111,672
Accounting$100,516$106,959
Finance and Financial Management$96,995$102,286
Electrical Engineering$101,091$94,722
Chemical Engineering$97,990$87,267
Mechanical Engineering$96,999$90,261
Business Administration, Management, and Operations$92,623$78,542
Registered Nursing$90,309$92,601
Marketing$86,299$89,208
Civil Engineering$88,076$87,883
Chemistry$78,373$84,609
Mathematics$83,338$68,325
Economics$80,434$81,881

ROI Sub-Score Breakdown

ComponentUniversity of Massac...University of Connec...
Earnings Premium (30%)8381
Payback Period (25%)8888
Debt / Earnings (20%)7084
Completion Rate (15%)9292
Repayment Rate (10%)8186
Overall ROI Score8385
Strong Value

The Verdict

These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Connecticut edges out University of Massachusetts-Amherst by 2 points (85 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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83

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown

85

University of Connecticut

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.