Waltham, Massachusetts Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in Waltham, Massachusetts: median public in-state tuition $64,540 (+1070.9% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $99,095 (+82.2% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 35.6% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $25,336 (+90.9% vs U.S.) 8,092 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 2 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 8,092 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $64,540 (+1070.9% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $99,095 (+82.2% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 35.6% (-52.4 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $36,833 (+269.5% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $25,336 (+90.9% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $18,927
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 86.4%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 89.8%
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Overview
Colleges and universities in Waltham serve students across Massachusetts with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 2 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 8,092 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $64,540. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Waltham, Massachusetts and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Waltham vs Massachusetts & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waltham, Massachusetts | $64,540 | $36,833 | $25,336 | 86.4% | 8,092 |
| Massachusetts (state median) | $6,732 | $12,244 | $21,882 | 67.0% | 310,977 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Waltham, 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.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waltham, Massachusetts | $99,095 | 35.6% | 89.8% | 1.5% | — | 90.7% | 0.27 |
| Massachusetts (state median) | $63,760 | 21.4% | 83.9% | 3.6% | — | 82.4% | 0.39 |
| United States | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Massachusetts (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waltham, Massachusetts | $64,540 | $36,833 | $25,336 | 86.4% | 8,092 | $99,095 | 35.6% |
| Boston | $38,110 | $26,678 | $24,900 | 67.4% | 89,548 | $65,865 | 21.8% |
| Amherst | $58,896 | $23,367 | $22,763 | 83.3% | 26,421 | $71,631 | 43.9% |
| Worcester | $51,356 | $27,048 | $19,500 | 76.9% | 23,114 | $74,895 | 23.3% |
| Cambridge | $57,160 | $31,152 | $17,884 | 77.8% | 13,886 | $101,817 | 64.4% |
| Lowell | $16,966 | $16,001 | $15,849 | 64.8% | 11,500 | $64,874 | 14.8% |
| Springfield | $44,702 | $25,282 | $26,250 | 64.0% | 10,306 | $53,124 | 20.3% |
| Springfield | $44,702 | $25,282 | $26,250 | 64.0% | 10,306 | $53,124 | 20.3% |
| Springfield | $44,702 | $25,282 | $26,250 | 64.0% | 10,306 | $53,124 | 20.3% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
Top 2 colleges in Waltham, 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.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 86.8%, Bentley University
Bentley University
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 86.0%, Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Top 2 colleges in Waltham, 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.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 45.7%, Brandeis University
Brandeis University
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 25.5%, Bentley University
Bentley University
Top 2 most selective colleges in Waltham, 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.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 40.5%, Brandeis University
Brandeis University
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 45.1%, Bentley University
Bentley University
Top 2 colleges in Waltham, 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.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $81,103, Bentley University
Bentley University
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $80,431, Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Top 2 colleges in Waltham, 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.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $148,087, Bentley University
Bentley University
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $123,460, Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Top 2 colleges in Waltham, 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.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $86,679, Bentley University
Bentley University
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $52,967, Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Top 2 colleges in Waltham, 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.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $102,857, Bentley University
Bentley University
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $69,857, Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Top 2 colleges in Waltham, 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.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $120,959, Bentley University
Bentley University
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $77,231, Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Top 2 colleges in Waltham, 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.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $327,521, Bentley University
Bentley University
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $156,331, Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Top 2 most affordable colleges in Waltham, 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.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $35,736, Brandeis University
Brandeis University
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Rank 2, Net Price, $37,930, Bentley University
Bentley University
Top 2 colleges in Waltham, 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.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 92.7%, Bentley University
Bentley University
-
Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 87.0%, Brandeis University
Brandeis University
In-state tuition: Waltham, Massachusetts vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Waltham, Massachusetts median in-state tuition is $64,540, +1070.9% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Waltham, Massachusetts vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Waltham, Massachusetts is $25,336 (+90.9% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $18,927.
Median earnings (10 years out): Waltham, Massachusetts vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Waltham, Massachusetts center around $99,095 (+82.2% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Waltham, Massachusetts vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 35.6% at the median Waltham, Massachusetts campus (-52.4 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
Waltham, Massachusetts median public in-state tuition is $64,540, about +1070.9% vs the national median. Versus the New England region, tuition is +586.5%.
Median graduate debt is $25,336 (+90.9% above the U.S. median of $13,271). 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 Waltham, Massachusetts are $99,095, about +82.2% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).
The median campus reports 35.6% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 88.0% (-52.4 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 89.8% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 1.5% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 90.7% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Brandeis University (45.7%), Bentley University (25.5%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Waltham, Massachusetts is 86.4% (national institution average about 50.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Waltham?
This city profile covers 2 campuses in Waltham, Massachusetts with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Waltham?
Median in-state tuition in Waltham is $64,540 and median net price is $36,833. For Massachusetts overall, medians are $6,732 and $12,244; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in Waltham?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Waltham is $99,095 vs $63,760 for Massachusetts and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for Waltham colleges?
Median completer debt in Waltham is $25,336 vs $21,882 for Massachusetts and $13,271 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Waltham?
Top campuses on this page include Bentley University (graduation) and Bentley University (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Waltham?
Among 2 College Scorecard campuses in Waltham, 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
- Massachusetts college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON