At $7,388/yr net price, Massachusetts Bay Community College graduates earn $52,654/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $18,654/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,388 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $29,552 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,654/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$18,654/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 15.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $6,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,533/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,926/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,972/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,026/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,263/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $48,432 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $41,193 | $7,173 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $40,461 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $36,085 | $6,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $34,530 | $6,480 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $32,925 |
The Risk Factor
15.6% of students at Massachusetts Bay Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Massachusetts Bay Community College gives you low debt and low cost, but the payoff depends heavily on what you study. The median debt of $6,500 is small, and you can graduate for well under what most four-year schools charge for a single year. The catch is the 15.60% graduation rate. If you fall in the majority who don't finish, you carry the cost without the credential that makes it worth anything.
The allied health associate program is the clear winner here, paying roughly $48,000 a year ten years out. That's about $14,000 more than the business administration associate track and enough to justify the time and cost. Vehicle maintenance and repair also pays well and feeds directly into a regional trade with steady demand. The liberal arts and business associate degrees land at the bottom, both under $37,000, and neither moves you far past the overall median.
The main financial risk is completion. With so few students finishing, your return hinges on being one who does, and on picking a program with a real job at the end. A liberal arts associate degree that you treat as a transfer step only pays off if you actually transfer and finish a bachelor's elsewhere.
Net price scales sharply with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay around $5,500 a year. over $110,000, that climbs to $13,263. Lower-income families get the strongest deal here.
This school fits you if you want a specific health or trade credential and can commit to finishing. Go for the allied health or automotive programs and the math works. If you're unsure what you want and might drift through general studies, the low cost still leaves you exposed to the completion odds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Massachusetts Bay Community College worth the cost?
With a net price of $7,388 per year and graduates earning $52,654 after 10 years, the school offers decent financial value. However, the 15.6% graduation rate means most students don't finish their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Massachusetts Bay Community College?
Allied health programs lead earnings at around $48,000, followed by vehicle maintenance at $41,000. Liberal arts and business programs produce lower earnings in the mid-$30,000s.
How much debt do Massachusetts Bay Community College graduates have?
Median debt is $6,500, which is manageable compared to four-year colleges. The low debt load helps offset the risk from the school's poor graduation rates.
Should I attend Massachusetts Bay Community College or transfer to a four-year school?
If you're targeting allied health or technical programs, the school can provide good value. For other fields, consider the 84% chance you won't graduate and whether transfer options better serve your goals.