Cambridge, Massachusetts Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

TL;DR

EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Cambridge, Massachusetts shows: median public in-state tuition $57,160 (+937.0% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $101,817 (+87.4% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 64.4% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $17,884 (+33.1% vs U.S.) 13,886 students enrolled statewide.

Key Facts

  • Institutions in this profile: 5 campuses
  • Total college enrollment: 13,886 students
  • Median public in-state tuition: $57,160 (+937.0% vs U.S.)
  • Median earnings 10 years after entry: $101,817 (+87.4% vs U.S.)
  • Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 64.4% (-23.5 pp vs U.S.)
  • Median net price: $31,152 (+212.6% vs U.S.)
  • Median student debt at graduation: $17,884 (+33.1% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $18,927
  • Average completion rate (institutions in state): 77.8%
  • Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 89.3%

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Overview

EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Cambridge, Massachusetts—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Massachusetts and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.

Cambridge vs Massachusetts & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
Cambridge, Massachusetts$57,160$31,152$17,88477.8%13,886
Massachusetts (state median)$6,732$12,244$21,97466.7%311,375
United States$5,512$9,967$13,43250.3%14,484,370

Earnings & employment outcomes: Cambridge, Massachusetts vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
Cambridge, Massachusetts$101,81764.4%89.3%1.4%—82.6%0.14
Massachusetts (state median)$63,49421.8%83.9%3.7%—82.2%0.39
United States$54,32387.9%76.3%5.0%—73.7%0.41

Other cities in Massachusetts (3+ campuses)

Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.

Peer comparison table
City In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
Cambridge, Massachusetts$57,160$31,152$17,88477.8%13,886$101,81764.4%
Boston$38,110$26,678$24,90067.4%89,548$64,68024.2%
Amherst$58,896$23,367$22,76383.3%26,421$71,63143.9%
Worcester$51,356$27,048$19,50076.9%23,178$74,89523.3%
Springfield$44,702$25,282$26,25064.0%10,306$53,12420.3%
Springfield$44,702$25,282$26,25064.0%10,306$53,12420.3%
Springfield$44,702$25,282$26,25064.0%10,306$53,12420.3%
Fall River$5,832$21,734$8,243N/A6,197N/AN/A
North Andover$53,962$37,927$6,33370.0%4,464$75,5847.9%
United States$5,512$9,967$13,43250.3%14,484,370$54,32387.9%

Outcomes by sector in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).

Sector Campuses Median earnings (10 yr) Working share (8 yr) Retention 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment
Private nonprofit4$101,81764.4%89.3%1.4%—82.6%

Top 10 colleges in Cambridge, Massachusetts by graduation rate (150% time)

Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.

  1. Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 97.6%, Harvard University

    Harvard University

    Private nonprofit · 7,601 enrolled · Cambridge

  2. Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 96.4%, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Private nonprofit · 4,535 enrolled · Cambridge

  3. Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 66.7%, Hult International Business School

    Hult International Business School

    Private nonprofit · 618 enrolled · Cambridge

  4. Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 58.0%, Lesley University

    Lesley University

    Private nonprofit · 1,122 enrolled · Cambridge

Top 10 colleges in Cambridge, Massachusetts by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)

Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 79.1%, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Private nonprofit · 4,535 enrolled · Cambridge

  2. Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 64.4%, Harvard University

    Harvard University

    Private nonprofit · 7,601 enrolled · Cambridge

  3. Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 23.4%, Lesley University

    Lesley University

    Private nonprofit · 1,122 enrolled · Cambridge

Top 10 most selective colleges in Cambridge, Massachusetts (lowest admission rate)

Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.

  1. Rank 1, Admission Rate, 3.6%, Harvard University

    Harvard University

    Private nonprofit · 7,601 enrolled · Cambridge

  2. Rank 2, Admission Rate, 4.5%, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Private nonprofit · 4,535 enrolled · Cambridge

  3. Rank 3, Admission Rate, 60.5%, Hult International Business School

    Hult International Business School

    Private nonprofit · 618 enrolled · Cambridge

  4. Rank 4, Admission Rate, 96.9%, Lesley University

    Lesley University

    Private nonprofit · 1,122 enrolled · Cambridge

Top 10 colleges in Cambridge, Massachusetts by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.

  1. Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $154,492, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Private nonprofit · 4,535 enrolled · Cambridge

  2. Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $152,251, Harvard University

    Harvard University

    Private nonprofit · 7,601 enrolled · Cambridge

  3. Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $46,448, Lesley University

    Lesley University

    Private nonprofit · 1,122 enrolled · Cambridge

Top 10 colleges in Cambridge, Massachusetts by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.

  1. Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $230,876, Harvard University

    Harvard University

    Private nonprofit · 7,601 enrolled · Cambridge

  2. Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $225,141, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Private nonprofit · 4,535 enrolled · Cambridge

  3. Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $67,879, Lesley University

    Lesley University

    Private nonprofit · 1,122 enrolled · Cambridge

Top 10 colleges in Cambridge, Massachusetts by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $131,633, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Private nonprofit · 4,535 enrolled · Cambridge

  2. Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $99,572, Harvard University

    Harvard University

    Private nonprofit · 7,601 enrolled · Cambridge

  3. Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $40,150, Lesley University

    Lesley University

    Private nonprofit · 1,122 enrolled · Cambridge

Top 10 colleges in Cambridge, Massachusetts by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $135,278, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Private nonprofit · 4,535 enrolled · Cambridge

  2. Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $101,095, Harvard University

    Harvard University

    Private nonprofit · 7,601 enrolled · Cambridge

  3. Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $41,277, Lesley University

    Lesley University

    Private nonprofit · 1,122 enrolled · Cambridge

Top 10 colleges in Cambridge, Massachusetts by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $143,372, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Private nonprofit · 4,535 enrolled · Cambridge

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $101,817, Harvard University

    Harvard University

    Private nonprofit · 7,601 enrolled · Cambridge

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $51,173, Lesley University

    Lesley University

    Private nonprofit · 1,122 enrolled · Cambridge

Top 10 colleges in Cambridge, Massachusetts by 10-year ROI

Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $583,998, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Private nonprofit · 4,535 enrolled · Cambridge

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $420,194, Harvard University

    Harvard University

    Private nonprofit · 7,601 enrolled · Cambridge

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $60,514, Lesley University

    Lesley University

    Private nonprofit · 1,122 enrolled · Cambridge

Top 10 most affordable colleges in Cambridge, Massachusetts (net price)

Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.

  1. Rank 1, Net Price, $19,066, Harvard University

    Harvard University

    Private nonprofit · 7,601 enrolled · Cambridge

  2. Rank 2, Net Price, $20,111, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Private nonprofit · 4,535 enrolled · Cambridge

  3. Rank 3, Net Price, $31,152, Lesley University

    Lesley University

    Private nonprofit · 1,122 enrolled · Cambridge

  4. Rank 4, Net Price, $45,447, Hult International Business School

    Hult International Business School

    Private nonprofit · 618 enrolled · Cambridge

Top 10 colleges in Cambridge, Massachusetts by first-year retention (full-time)

Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 99.1%, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Private nonprofit · 4,535 enrolled · Cambridge

  2. Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 98.3%, Harvard University

    Harvard University

    Private nonprofit · 7,601 enrolled · Cambridge

  3. Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 80.2%, Hult International Business School

    Hult International Business School

    Private nonprofit · 618 enrolled · Cambridge

  4. Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 72.3%, Lesley University

    Lesley University

    Private nonprofit · 1,122 enrolled · Cambridge

In-state tuition: Cambridge, Massachusetts vs benchmarks

Sticker price

Cambridge, Massachusetts median in-state tuition is $57,160, +937.0% vs the U.S. median.

Student debt: Cambridge, Massachusetts vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in Cambridge, Massachusetts is $17,884 (+33.1% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $18,927.

Median earnings (10 years out): Cambridge, Massachusetts vs benchmarks

Payoff

Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Cambridge, Massachusetts center around $101,817 (+87.4% vs U.S.).

Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.

Employment outcome proxy: Cambridge, Massachusetts vs benchmarks

Working & not enrolled

The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 64.4% at the median Cambridge, Massachusetts campus (-23.5 pp vs U.S.).

Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

Cambridge, Massachusetts median public in-state tuition is $57,160, about +937.0% vs the national median. Versus the New England region, tuition is +508.0%.

Median graduate debt is $17,884 (+33.1% above the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

Earnings, employment & retention

Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Cambridge, Massachusetts are $101,817, about +87.4% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).

The median campus reports 64.4% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (-23.5 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.

First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 89.3% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.

Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 1.4% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 82.6% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.

Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Massachusetts Institute of Technology (79.1%), Harvard University (64.4%), Lesley University (23.4%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.

Completion & workforce context

Within Cambridge, Massachusetts, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $101,817 (4 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.

Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Cambridge, Massachusetts is 77.8% (national institution average about 50.3%).

FAQ

How many colleges are in Cambridge?

EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 5 campuses in Cambridge, Massachusetts with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.

How much does college cost in Cambridge?

EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Cambridge is $57,160 and median net price is $31,152. For Massachusetts overall, medians are $6,732 and $12,244; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.

What do graduates earn in Cambridge?

EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Cambridge is $101,817 vs $63,494 for Massachusetts and $54,323 nationally.

What is student debt like for Cambridge colleges?

EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Cambridge is $17,884 vs $21,974 for Massachusetts and $13,432 nationally.

What are the best colleges in Cambridge?

EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include Harvard University (graduation) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Cambridge?

EDsmart Data analysis: among 5 College Scorecard campuses in Cambridge, Massachusetts, none are flagged as HBCUs or tribal colleges in IPEDS, and none meet our 25% Hispanic-enrollment HSI proxy or report a religious affiliation in IPEDS.

Sources & related