Head-to-Head Comparison
Drexel University vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Drexel Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 11
- Massachusetts Pharmacy Wins
- 16
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Drexel University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $38,509 vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545, Drexel University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Drexel University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $84,648 at ten years.
44 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Drexel
- Lower cost: Average net price of $38,509, roughly $1,036 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 78% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 79% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Massachusetts Pharmacy
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, 48% more than Drexel University
- Less debt: Median debt of $25,000, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Drexel graduates concentrate in Health Professions (18% 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 Drexel University. Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment vs $84,648.
Pick Drexel University over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Net price $38,509 vs $39,545.
Pick Drexel University over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 78% completion rate vs 63%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Drexel University and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences are close on paper, but Drexel University wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Drexel University is the harder admit. It takes 79% of applicants, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences takes 85%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,345 to 1,269.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Drexel 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, Drexel University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $38,509, about $1,036 a year below Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545. Graduates of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences also borrow less: median debt of $25,000, against $25,325.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $4,144 before any change in aid. Choosing Drexel 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 $84,648 at Drexel University. That is a 48% advantage. Set against borrowing, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.3x.
So what: An earnings gap of 48% 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
Drexel University graduates a larger share of its students, 78% versus 63%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 15% 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 Drexel 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. Drexel University saves about $1,036 a year, yet Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn $40,909 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. Drexel University concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Business & Marketing, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences leans toward Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: Drexel University's enrollment of 13,233 far exceeds Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's 3,451.
- Engineering-focused students: Drexel University has the stronger engineering programs.
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 Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
With over 13,200 students, Drexel University is a great fit for those seeking a hands-on educational experience, particularly in fields like Engineering, Health Professions, and Business & Marketing. The university's acceptance rate of 79% suggests a welcoming environment, which can be reassuring for students looking for a place where they can thrive academically. Many students appreciate the strong focus on experiential learning, including co-op programs that allow them to gain real-world experience while they study.
After graduation, students from Drexel can expect impressive earning potential, with graduates reporting a median income of $84,648 ten years after completing their degree. This financial outcome is particularly appealing, given how many graduates find themselves in well-paying fields. Affordability is a significant factor too, with a net price of $38,509 after aid, making it accessible for many families. Although the Pell Grant rate sits at 27%, it reflects the university’s commitment to supporting students from diverse financial backgrounds.
When considering the practical aspects, Drexel’s median debt of $25,325 is relatively manageable, especially when balanced against the earning potential. Students who tend to thrive here are often those ready to engage fully in their education, taking advantage of the co-op experiences and networking opportunities available. This proactive approach can really pay off, leading to successful careers and a solid return on investment for their education.
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
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is featured on the Colleges With the Highest-Earning Graduates ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Nursing (BSN) as their top enrolled program field, comprising 18% of Drexel's student body and 93% of Massachusetts Pharmacy's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Drexel) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Massachusetts Pharmacy).
The two schools feed different job markets. Drexel University is strongest in Engineering, Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences concentrates in Biology & Biomedical, 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.
Drexel
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Drexel University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Drexel University is harder to get into, admitting 79% of applicants compared with 85% at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Which is more affordable, Drexel University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Drexel University is more affordable, with an average net price of $38,509 after aid versus $39,545 at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Do Drexel 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 $84,648 at Drexel University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Drexel University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Drexel University has the higher graduation rate, 78% versus 63%.
Should you choose Drexel University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Drexel 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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