At $20,605/yr net price, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth graduates earn $68,804/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $34,804/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,605 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $82,420 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $68,804/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$34,804/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 49.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,122/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,161/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,022/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,748/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,993/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $68,858 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $68,666 | $26,807 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $64,258 | $25,975 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,997 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $62,260 | $27,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $57,619 | $27,179 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $51,356 | $17,802 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $49,937 | $27,000 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | Bachelor | $48,823 | $27,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $46,478 | $25,000 |
The Risk Factor
49.0% of students at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
UMass Dartmouth gives you a solid financial return with real caveats. You pay about $20,600 a year and carry $25,000 in median debt, and ten years out you earn just under $69,000. That earnings figure sits above the debt load, so most graduates come out ahead. But the 49% graduation rate and 64% retention rate mean the math only works if you actually finish, and a large share of students here do not.
The strongest bets are technical. Computer and Information Sciences graduates earn nearly $69,000, and the three engineering and nursing tracks all clear $62,000. These majors carry slightly higher debt (around $27,000 for engineering), but the earnings justify it. Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science sits lower at $57,600 against the highest debt on the list, so the return there is thinner. No liberal arts or business salary data is listed, so treat those programs as unknowns before you enroll.
The main risk is dropping out with debt and no degree. With more than a third of students not returning after the first year, borrowing money for a program you may not finish is the real danger here, not the price itself.
Net price scales sharply with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $14,100 a year. over $110,000, you pay nearly $27,000. Lower-income families get meaningful discounts, and the cost stays reasonable relative to a $69,000 median salary.
This school fits you if you plan to major in computing, engineering, or nursing and are confident you will graduate. If you are undecided or drawn to a program with no listed earnings, weigh that uncertainty carefully, and look elsewhere if you doubt you will finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth worth the cost?
UMass Dartmouth offers moderate value with a net price of $20,605 and median earnings of $68,804 after 10 years. The low 49% graduation rate is concerning and significantly impacts overall ROI for many students.
What are the best paying majors at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth?
Computer science and business programs lead with median earnings around $68,800, while nursing graduates earn $64,258. Engineering fields like electrical and mechanical also provide solid returns in the low $60,000s.
How much debt do University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth graduates typically have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable given the earning potential in top programs. However, students who don't complete their degree face financial risk with nearly half not graduating.
Does University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth have good job prospects after graduation?
Job prospects vary significantly by major, with computer science and business graduates earning competitive salaries. The 95% acceptance rate means less selective admissions, but the low graduation rate suggests academic challenges that could hurt career outcomes.