Head-to-head · 2026
Harvard University vs Massachusetts Bay Community College
Compare average net price ($19,066 at Harvard University; $7,169 at Massachusetts Bay Community College), ROI score (13.35 vs 18.36), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($101,817 vs $52,654), and admissions context (3.7% at Harvard University; Open / not reported at Massachusetts Bay Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Harvard University | Massachusetts Bay Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.35 | 18.36 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $19,066 | $7,169 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $76,264 | $28,676 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $61,676 | $5,856 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $61,676 | $10,800 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $101,817 ✓ | $52,654 |
| Acceptance rate | 3.7% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% ✓ | 17.2% |
| Retention rate | 98.3% ✓ | 55.9% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $6,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 7,601 | 3,837 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1553 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Harvard University | Massachusetts Bay Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,697 | $6,206 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,991 ✓ | $5,813 |
| Family income $48–75k | $2,091 ✓ | $7,685 |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,941 | $9,767 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $53,337 | $13,317 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Harvard University | Massachusetts Bay Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.3% | 22.3% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 9.1% | 10.6% |
| Social Sciences, General | 1.8% | 4% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 1% | 3.8% |
| Computer Science | 2.1% | 1.3% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 0.2% | 2.7% |
| Mathematics | 0.9% | 1.3% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 0.1% | 2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Massachusetts Bay Community College reports the lower average net price by $11,897 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $47,588 difference over four years ($28,676 vs $76,264).
Harvard University reports $49,163 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($101,817 vs $52,654). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 98.3% at Harvard University and 55.9% at Massachusetts Bay Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $14,000 vs $6,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Harvard University vs Massachusetts Bay Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Massachusetts Bay Community College is cheaper — average net price $7,169 per year vs $19,066 at Harvard University. The annual difference of $11,897 adds up to about $47,588 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Harvard University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $101,817 vs $52,654 at Massachusetts Bay Community College. The gap in the federal data is $49,163. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.