Boston Architectural College
Boston Architectural College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Boston Architectural College Worth It?
At a value score of 21/100, Boston Architectural College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $62,123 — 15% above average — while paying $25,865/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 36% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $37,250 representing 60% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Boston Architectural College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Boston Architectural College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #19 of 25 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Homestead Schools | 87 | $15,962 | $59,398 |
| #2 | Yeshiva Toras Chaim | 84 | $5,356 | $62,526 |
| #3 | Riverside College of Health Sciences | 80 | $20,744 | $66,072 |
| #4 | St Luke's College | 77 | $19,820 | $61,033 |
| #5 | Sacred Heart Major Seminary | 69 | $11,916 | $49,295 |
| #6 | Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences | 59 | $19,390 | $60,918 |
| #19 | Boston Architectural College | 21 | $25,865 | $62,123 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Boston Architectural College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Boston Architectural College
The highest-earning program at Boston Architectural College is Architecture at $53,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Environmental Design at $51,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Architecture graduate from Boston Architectural College earns $53,000, while a Environmental Design graduate earns $51,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,865/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | $53,000 | $53,000 | $49,500 |
| Environmental Design | $51,500 | $51,500 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Boston, MA
- Student Body
- 280 students
- Graduation Rate
- 36%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,865
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,123
- Median Student Debt
- $37,250