Head-to-Head Comparison
Brigham Young University vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Brigham Young Wins
- 21
- Tied
- 11
- Massachusetts Pharmacy Wins
- 12
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Brigham Young University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $15,564 vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545, Brigham Young University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Brigham Young University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
44 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Brigham Young
- Lower cost: Average net price of $15,564, roughly $23,981 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 82% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $11,069, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 68% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Massachusetts Pharmacy
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, 66% more than Brigham Young University
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Brigham Young graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (17% of degrees); Massachusetts Pharmacy in Health Professions (93%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences over Brigham Young University. Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment vs $75,790.
Pick Brigham Young University over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Net price $15,564 vs $39,545.
Pick Brigham Young University over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 82% completion rate vs 63%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Brigham Young University and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences are close on paper, but Brigham Young University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Brigham Young University is the harder admit. It takes 68% of applicants, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences takes 85%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,376 to 1,269.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Brigham Young University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Brigham Young University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $15,564, about $23,981 a year below Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545. Graduates of Brigham Young University also borrow less: median debt of $11,069, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $95,924 before any change in aid. Choosing Brigham Young University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates report median earnings of $125,557, compared with $75,790 at Brigham Young University. That is a 66% advantage. Set against borrowing, Brigham Young University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.15x to 0.2x.
So what: An earnings gap of 66% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Brigham Young University graduates a larger share of its students, 82% versus 63%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 19% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Brigham Young University to keep costs and debt down; pick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Brigham Young University saves about $23,981 a year, yet Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn $49,767 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Brigham Young University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Engineering, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences leans toward Health Professions, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: Brigham Young University's enrollment of 32,952 far exceeds Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's 3,451.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $39,545 runs well above Brigham Young University's $15,564.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,000, against $11,069 at Brigham Young University.
- Business and consulting-track students: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has less business program depth, and Brigham Young University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT · Private nonprofit
Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, is a great fit for students looking for a vibrant campus experience with a strong academic focus. With an acceptance rate of 68%, it welcomes a diverse group of learners. Students here can dive into popular fields like Business and Marketing, Biology, Engineering, and Computer Science, all of which have proven track records. The 82% graduation rate indicates that many students not only enroll but also successfully finish their degrees, which is a solid indicator of support and student satisfaction.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, the financial prospects seem promising. Graduates earn an average of $75,790 within a decade of completing their studies. This suggests that the skills and knowledge gained here can lead to upward mobility in the job market. The affordability of attending BYU is also noteworthy, especially with a net price of $15,564 after aid, making it accessible for a variety of students.
When it comes to managing debt, students graduate with a median debt of $11,069, which is relatively manageable compared to many institutions. This financial landscape allows students to focus on their careers without being overly burdened by loans. Those who thrive here often appreciate the community-oriented environment and the emphasis on values in both academic and personal life.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
A full data profile for Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — outcomes, cost, and admissions — is on its profile page.
Rankings They Appear On
Brigham Young University is featured on the Best Colleges in Utah ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Brigham Young's top program is Business Administration (17% of enrollment), while Massachusetts Pharmacy leads with Nursing (BSN) (93%).
Brigham Young
Massachusetts Pharmacy
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Brigham Young) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Massachusetts Pharmacy).
The two schools feed different job markets. Brigham Young University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Engineering, Computer Science & IT, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences concentrates in Health Professions, Psychology, Physical Sciences. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Brigham Young
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Brigham Young University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Brigham Young University is harder to get into, admitting 68% of applicants compared with 85% at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Which is more affordable, Brigham Young University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Brigham Young University is more affordable, with an average net price of $15,564 after aid versus $39,545 at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Do Brigham Young University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more?
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more: median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, versus $75,790 at Brigham Young University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Brigham Young University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Brigham Young University has the higher graduation rate, 82% versus 63%.
Should you choose Brigham Young University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Brigham Young University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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