Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Fitchburg State University at a Glance
Fitchburg State University is a public university in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. It has 3,421 undergraduate and 1,238 graduate/continuing education students, for a total student body enrollment of 4,659. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in 25 academic disciplines. The main campus, the McKay Campus School, and athletic fields occupy 79 acres (320,000 m2) in the city of Fitchburg; the biological study fields occupy 120 acres (490,000 m2) in the neighboring towns of Lancaster,…
1894
132 years old
$32M
$31.8 million (2024)
3,445
415 undergrad · 3,030 grad
3,070
60 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Fitchburg State University
Official admissions page$35
Is Fitchburg State University Worth It?
Fitchburg State University offers moderate value at $14,262/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $53,874, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 54% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Fitchburg State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in MA
Ranked #25 of 119 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 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #2 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #3 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #4 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #5 | Snow College | 83 | $5,552 | $41,022 |
| #6 | Saint Johns River State College | 80 | $6,135 | $41,728 |
| #25 | Fitchburg State University | 51 | $14,262 | $53,874 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Fitchburg State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in MA.
Best Programs at Fitchburg State University
The highest-earning program at Fitchburg State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $64,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $26,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Fitchburg State University earns $64,900, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $26,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $22,990 in median debt vs. $26,750 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,262/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,900 | $64,900 | $22,990 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $44,700 | $44,700 | $26,184 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,200 | $38,200 | $21,900 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,000 | $36,000 | $25,500 |
| Human Services, General | $35,800 | $35,800 | $24,875 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $33,300 | $33,300 | $25,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,200 | $33,200 | $25,250 |
| Biology, General | $33,100 | $33,100 | $24,625 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $33,100 | $33,100 | $23,125 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,800 | $30,800 | $23,250 |
| Psychology, General | $29,300 | $29,300 | $24,200 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,400 | $26,400 | $26,750 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Fitchburg, MA
- Student Body
- 2,752 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,262
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,874
- Median Student Debt
- $24,239