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Head-to-head comparison

University of Massachusetts-Amherst vs Wentworth Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?

Public, Amherst MA · vs · Private nonprofit, Boston MA

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

Option A Amherst, MA

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Net price / year
$22,383
Earnings, 10 years
$71,631
Payback
3.8 yrs

Option B Boston, MA

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Net price / year
$34,170
Earnings, 10 years
$82,721
Payback
4 yrs
The verdict

University of Massachusetts-Amherst has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,532 in 3.8 years versus 4 years at Wentworth Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $71,631 vs $82,721 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Massachusetts-AmherstWentworth Institute of Technology
Net price / yr$22,383$34,170
Total net cost$89,532$136,680
Median earnings, 10 yrs$71,631$82,721
Median debt$22,763$25,028
Payback3.8 yrs4 yrs
20-year net return$375,888$550,540

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, University of Massachusetts-Amherst or Wentworth Institute of Technology?

University of Massachusetts-Amherst, at $22,383 a year after aid versus $34,170 — a gap of $11,787 a year, or $47,148 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 University of Massachusetts-Amherst or Wentworth Institute of Technology graduates earn more?

Wentworth Institute of Technology graduates report a median $82,721 ten years after entry, $11,090 more than the $71,631 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. 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, University of Massachusetts-Amherst or Wentworth Institute of Technology?

University of Massachusetts-Amherst: its completers carry a median $22,763 in federal loans versus $25,028 at Wentworth Institute of Technology, a difference of $2,265. 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?

83% of students finish at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, against 68% at Wentworth Institute of Technology. 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.

University of Massachusetts-Amherst vs Wentworth Institute of Technology: frequently asked questions

Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst or Wentworth Institute of Technology a better value?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst. It clears its $89,532 net cost in about 3.8 years versus 4 years at Wentworth Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $71,631 vs $82,721 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Massachusetts-Amherst or Wentworth Institute of Technology?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst: $22,383/yr net price after aid versus $34,170/yr at Wentworth Institute of Technology — a difference of $11,787 a year, or about $47,148 over four years.
Do University of Massachusetts-Amherst or Wentworth Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Wentworth Institute of Technology graduates earn a median $82,721 ten years after entry, versus $71,631 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst — a $11,090 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.