Cost & ROI · 2026
Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst worth it?
Pay $22,383/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $71,631 ten years out — about 3.2× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
University of Massachusetts-Amherst vs Massachusetts avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Massachusetts college and the typical US college.
| Metric | University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Massachusetts avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▼ $22,383 | $23,837 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $71,631 | $62,779 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $22,763 | $20,935 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 83.3% | 58.5% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▼ 59.7% | 61.1% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $138,196 over four years. Most students get $12,166/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $22,763 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 32% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median University of Massachusetts-Amherst grad earns about $1,065,240 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about University of Massachusetts-Amherst
The average student at University of Massachusetts-Amherst pays $22,383 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $34,549 published sticker price. That is below the MA average net price of $23,837.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $71,631 — above the MA median of $62,779. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $22,763, roughly $247 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 32% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Massachusetts colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Boston, MA · Public University of Massachusetts-Boston B Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $22,383 per year. That's $12,166/yr in financial aid against the $34,549 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $89,532.
How much do University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduates earn a median of $71,631 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.2× the annual net cost.
How much debt do University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $22,763 — about $247/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 46.6% of students take federal loans.
Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns University of Massachusetts-Amherst a value grade of B — top 45% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $22,383/yr, earn $71,631/yr ten years out, ROI score of 8.00. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
19.9% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 46.6% take federal student loans. On average, students get $12,166 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
In-state tuition is $17,772 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $40,449 per year — a difference of $22,677/yr or $90,708 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $10,164. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $30,793. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →