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Head-to-head comparison

Northeastern University vs Massachusetts Maritime Academy: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Boston MA · vs · Public, Buzzards Bay MA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Boston, MA

Northeastern University

Net price / year
$30,915
Earnings, 10 years
$92,538
Payback
2.8 yrs

Option B Buzzards Bay, MA

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Net price / year
$21,582
Earnings, 10 years
$82,392
Payback
2.5 yrs
The verdict

Massachusetts Maritime Academy has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $86,328 in 2.5 years versus 2.8 years at Northeastern University, on median earnings of $82,392 vs $92,538 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNortheastern UniversityMassachusetts Maritime Academy
Net price / yr$30,915$21,582
Total net cost$123,660$86,328
Median earnings, 10 yrs$92,538$82,392
Median debt$24,250$25,000
Payback2.8 yrs2.5 yrs
20-year net return$759,900$594,312

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Northeastern University or Massachusetts Maritime Academy?

Massachusetts Maritime Academy, at $21,582 a year after aid versus $30,915 — a gap of $9,333 a year, or $37,332 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 Northeastern University or Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates earn more?

Northeastern University graduates report a median $92,538 ten years after entry, $10,146 more than the $82,392 at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. 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, Northeastern University or Massachusetts Maritime Academy?

Northeastern University: its completers carry a median $24,250 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, a difference of $750. 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?

91% of students finish at Northeastern University, against 74% at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. 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.

Northeastern University vs Massachusetts Maritime Academy: frequently asked questions

Is Northeastern University or Massachusetts Maritime Academy a better value?
Massachusetts Maritime Academy. It clears its $86,328 net cost in about 2.5 years versus 2.8 years at Northeastern University, on median earnings of $82,392 vs $92,538 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Northeastern University or Massachusetts Maritime Academy?
Massachusetts Maritime Academy: $21,582/yr net price after aid versus $30,915/yr at Northeastern University — a difference of $9,333 a year, or about $37,332 over four years.
Do Northeastern University or Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates earn more?
Northeastern University graduates earn a median $92,538 ten years after entry, versus $82,392 at Massachusetts Maritime Academy — a $10,146 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.