University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth at a Glance
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a public research university in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. It is the southernmost campus of the University of Massachusetts system. Formerly "Southeastern Massachusetts University", it was merged into the University of Massachusetts system in 1991.
1895
131 years old
$76M
$76 million (2024)
7,968
5,731 undergrad · 2,237 grad
402
710 acres
Identity
Is University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Worth It?
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth offers moderate value at $20,927/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $68,804, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 51% 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.
With a 91% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in MA
Ranked #40 of 67 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | University of Washington-Bothell Campus | 100 | $12,319 | $78,466 |
| #3 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus | 100 | $10,163 | $78,466 |
| #4 | Michigan Technological University | 94 | $14,182 | $78,198 |
| #5 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #6 | California State University-Channel Islands | 83 | $9,849 | $62,152 |
| #40 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | 42 | $20,927 | $68,804 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in MA.
Best Programs at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
The highest-earning program at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $66,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $29,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth earns $66,300, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $29,500. 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: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,927/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $66,300 | $66,300 | $25,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $64,600 | $64,600 | $27,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,500 | $63,500 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $61,100 | $61,100 | $26,965 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $55,400 | $55,400 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $45,200 | $45,200 | $25,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $41,700 | $41,700 | $26,000 |
| Marketing | $38,900 | $38,900 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,300 | $38,300 | $25,000 |
| Criminology | $37,300 | $37,300 | $25,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $36,500 | $36,500 | $28,363 |
| Biology, General | $36,000 | $36,000 | $26,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $33,300 | $33,300 | $26,000 |
| Sociology | $32,700 | $32,700 | $30,105 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,100 | $30,100 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $29,500 | $29,500 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- North Dartmouth, MA
- Student Body
- 5,221 students
- Admission Rate
- 91%
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,927
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $68,804
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000