Head-to-Head Comparison
Loyola University Maryland vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, MD
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Boston, MA
- Loyola Maryland Wins
- 14
- Tied
- 12
- Massachusetts Pharmacy Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Loyola University Maryland offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $30,574 vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545, Loyola University Maryland delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Loyola University Maryland benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $82,652 at ten years.
44 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Loyola Maryland
- Lower cost: Average net price of $30,574, roughly $8,971 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 80% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 75% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Massachusetts Pharmacy
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, 52% more than Loyola University Maryland
- Less debt: Median debt of $25,000, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Loyola Maryland graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (32% 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 Loyola University Maryland. Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment vs $82,652.
Pick Loyola University Maryland over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Net price $30,574 vs $39,545.
Pick Loyola University Maryland over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 80% completion rate vs 63%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Loyola University Maryland and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences are close on paper, but Loyola University Maryland 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
Loyola University Maryland is the harder admit. It takes 75% of applicants, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences takes 85%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,290 to 1,269.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Loyola University Maryland 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, Loyola University Maryland comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $30,574, about $8,971 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 $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $35,884 before any change in aid. Choosing Loyola University Maryland 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 $82,652 at Loyola University Maryland. That is a 52% advantage. Set against borrowing, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.33x.
So what: An earnings gap of 52% 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
Loyola University Maryland graduates a larger share of its students, 80% versus 63%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 17% 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 Loyola University Maryland 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. Loyola University Maryland saves about $8,971 a year, yet Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn $42,905 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. Loyola University Maryland concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences leans toward Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Loyola Maryland competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $39,545 runs well above Loyola University Maryland's $30,574.
- Business and consulting-track students: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has less business program depth, and Loyola University Maryland 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
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 3,900 students, Loyola University Maryland caters to those seeking a well-rounded education in a supportive environment. The 75% acceptance rate suggests that the school aims to welcome a diverse group of students, which contributes to a vibrant campus life. Popular areas of study include Business and Marketing, Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, Communications, and Social Sciences, allowing students to explore various fields while preparing for their careers.
After graduation, students can expect a solid financial outlook, with a median earnings figure of $82,652 after ten years. This is encouraging and indicates that many graduates find good opportunities in their chosen fields. The affordability factor is also important; with a net price of $30,574, students can weigh the cost of their education against potential earnings, making it a reasonable investment for many.
When considering the practical aspects of attending Loyola, the average debt load of $27,000 is relatively manageable, especially given the earnings potential. The school attracts a mix of students, including those who are determined to succeed and take advantage of the supportive community. With a graduation rate of 80%, it’s clear that many students find their footing here and go on to thrive in their careers.
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
Loyola University Maryland is featured on the Best Business Colleges in Maryland ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Loyola Maryland's top program is Business Administration (32% of enrollment), while Massachusetts Pharmacy leads with Nursing (BSN) (93%).
Loyola Maryland
Massachusetts Pharmacy
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Loyola Maryland) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Massachusetts Pharmacy).
The two schools feed different job markets. Loyola University Maryland is strongest in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences concentrates in Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, 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.
Loyola Maryland
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Loyola University Maryland or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Loyola University Maryland is harder to get into, admitting 75% of applicants compared with 85% at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Which is more affordable, Loyola University Maryland or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Loyola University Maryland is more affordable, with an average net price of $30,574 after aid versus $39,545 at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Do Loyola University Maryland 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 $82,652 at Loyola University Maryland.
Which has a better graduation rate, Loyola University Maryland or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Loyola University Maryland has the higher graduation rate, 80% versus 63%.
Should you choose Loyola University Maryland or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Loyola University Maryland 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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How do Loyola Maryland and Massachusetts Pharmacy stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
