Head-to-head comparison
Harvard University vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: which has better ROI?
Option A Cambridge, MA
Harvard University
- Net price / year
- $19,066
- Earnings, 10 years
- $101,817
- Payback
- 1.4 yrs
Option B Boston, MA
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Net price / year
- $39,545
- Earnings, 10 years
- $125,557
- Payback
- 2 yrs
Harvard University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $76,264 in 1.4 years versus 2 years at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, on median earnings of $101,817 vs $125,557 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Harvard University | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,066 | $39,545 |
| Total net cost | $76,264 | $158,180 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $101,817 | $125,557 |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 1.4 yrs | 2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $992,876 | $1,385,760 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Harvard University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Harvard University, at $19,066 a year after aid versus $39,545 — a gap of $20,479 a year, or $81,916 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Harvard University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more?
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates report a median $125,557 ten years after entry, $23,740 more than the $101,817 at Harvard University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Harvard University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Harvard University: its completers carry a median $14,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, a difference of $11,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
98% of students finish at Harvard University, against 62% at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.