Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth #406 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $11,708 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth in the 88.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth #465 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth's composite standing reflects a consistent pattern of graduates outperforming earnings expectations relative to similar students at comparable institutions. The return on investment ranking anchors that story, supported by median earnings four years after enrollment of $69,251, placing the university in the 72.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth #406 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 72.5 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university located in North Dartmouth, MA, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth enrolls roughly 5,221 undergraduates. Freshman retention stands at 63.6% and the six-year graduation rate is 52.1%, reflecting solid degree-completion momentum for a regional public university. The composite is anchored by return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth #465 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 68.6 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median four-year earnings of $69,251, placing University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth in the 72.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $11,708 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth in the 88.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The dominant program family is Business, which shapes the institution's workforce-aligned earnings profile. Access and affordability provide important context for the composite position. 37.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 35.2% are first-generation college students, reflecting a student body that draws heavily from working- and middle-income families across MA. University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth sits in the 44.9 percentile for affordability and the 62.6 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions, with mobility outcomes in the 81.3 percentile — a profile that positions the university as a financially accessible path to competitive long-term earnings for students who might otherwise face limited options.
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth's published cost of attendance is $33,485. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $15,976; middle-income families pay around $17,530; higher-income families pay approximately $28,147. Azimuth ranks University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth #785 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. UMass Dartmouth's aid structure is need-based, with federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs available. Families apply for aid using the FAFSA. The difference between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to making attendance affordable across income levels, though the actual aid package depends on individual circumstances and demonstrated financial need. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $22,757; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $69,251, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth is a strong fit for students drawn to business, management, and applied professional fields who want a public university in MA that delivers solid long-term financial outcomes without the cost of higher-priced private institutions. Graduates earn about $11,708 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth in the 88.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median $69,251 four years after enrollment, placing University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth in the 72.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions — a return profile that reflects the university's concentration in Business and related applied fields. The institution enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 37.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 35.2% are first-generation — and University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth sits in the 70.5 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. For cost-sensitive families, net price for higher-income students runs $28,147, and median student debt at graduation is $25,000, keeping long-term borrowing in a manageable range relative to expected earnings. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix is oriented toward business and professional fields, so students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes, and the university admits roughly 90.6% of applicants, making it broadly accessible to most qualified students in Northeast.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the University Of Massachusetts-Dartmouth hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth's published cost of attendance is $33,485. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels.
Low-income families pay approximately $15,976; middle-income families pay around $17,530; higher-income families pay approximately $28,147. Azimuth ranks University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth #785 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. UMass Dartmouth's aid structure is need-based, with federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs available.
Families apply for aid using the FAFSA. The difference between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to making attendance affordable across income levels, though the actual aid package depends on individual circumstances and demonstrated financial need.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $22,757; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $69,251, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $54,900, placing University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the 82nd percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 1,007 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 60th percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Those figures represent returns relative to Massachusetts's no-degree earnings baseline of $37,000, the state median for working adults age 25–34 with only a high school credential. The earnings pattern at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is anchored by its dominant concentration in business, management, marketing, and related support services, which drives a substantial share of graduate outcomes.
Among the most-enrolled programs, business/commerce graduates 1,000 students with median earnings of $55,000 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks the program 1,000 among nonprofit four-year institutions. Psychology and criminal justice/safety studies round out the high-enrollment tier, with graduates earning $41,000 and $50,000 respectively four years after enrollment.
On the higher-earning end, electrical and electronics engineering and computer science deliver stronger early-career pay, with Azimuth ranking electrical and electronics engineering 500 and computer science 600 among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment. The program mix — led by business, management, marketing, and related support services at 30% of graduates, followed by health professions and related programs at 15% and engineering at 10% — reflects a career-oriented portfolio aligned with southeastern Massachusetts's professional labor market.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Carolina University Similar quality tier (#11985 ranked) | NC | 82% | $49,458 | #11985 | Compare |
University Of Colorado Colorado Springs Similar quality tier (#11992 ranked) | CO | 97% | $54,659 | #11992 | Compare |
Wright State University-Main Campus Similar quality tier (#11965 ranked) | OH | 96% | $49,500 | #11965 | Compare |
University Of North Carolina Wilmington Similar quality tier (#12004 ranked) | NC | 64% | $54,967 | #12004 | Compare |
Clayton State University Similar quality tier (#10931 ranked) | GA | 68% | $49,179 | #10931 | Compare |
Computer Engineering
19 graduates
Computer and Information Sciences, General
43 graduates
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
27 graduates
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
37 graduates
Mechanical Engineering
46 graduates
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth's program mix is anchored in Business, which accounts for 27% of graduates — a concentration that shapes the institution's overall earnings profile and employer relationships. Engineering represents 12% of degree output, and Social Sciences contributes 10%, rounding out a portfolio oriented toward applied, workforce-ready fields.
The highest aggregate-return program is Nursing, which combines meaningful cohort scale with solid four-year earnings — making it a key economic anchor for the institution. Among the most popular programs, Nursing program graduates 144 students annually with median earnings of $86,150 four years after enrollment; Azimuth ranks the program #173 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/).
Psychology, General and Business Administration are also among the largest programs by graduate count, with four-year median earnings of $53,561 and $62,430 respectively, reflecting the institution's applied-professional orientation. The highest-earning programs at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth cluster in technical and applied fields.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $86,150 four years after enrollment; Azimuth ranks the program #173 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Management Information Systems and Services and Accounting follow with four-year median earnings of $83,480 and $70,053, both representing high-mobility, direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter regional and national labor markets without requiring further credentialing.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with current labor-market conditions.
