Head-to-Head Comparison
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences vs University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Boston, MA
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
- Massachusetts Pharmacy Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 8
- Michigan-Ann Arbor Wins
- 17
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $13,138 vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
40 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Massachusetts Pharmacy
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, 50% more than University of Michigan
Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Lower cost: Average net price of $13,138, roughly $26,407 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 93% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 16% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Massachusetts Pharmacy graduates concentrate in Health Professions (93% of degrees); Michigan-Ann Arbor in Computer Science & IT (16%). 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 University of Michigan. Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment vs $83,648.
Pick University of Michigan over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Net price $13,138 vs $39,545.
Pick University of Michigan over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 93% completion rate vs 63%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and University of Michigan are close on paper, but University of Michigan 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
University of Michigan is the harder admit. It takes 16% of applicants, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences takes 85%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,269 to 1,465.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Michigan 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, University of Michigan comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $13,138, about $26,407 a year below Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545. Graduates of University of Michigan also borrow less: median debt of $19,500, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $105,628 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Michigan 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 $83,648 at University of Michigan. That is a 50% advantage. Set against borrowing, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.23x.
So what: An earnings gap of 50% 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
University of Michigan graduates a larger share of its students, 93% versus 63%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 31% 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 University of Michigan 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. University of Michigan saves about $26,407 a year, yet Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn $41,909 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. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences concentrates enrollment in Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, while University of Michigan leans toward Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $39,545 runs well above University of Michigan's $13,138.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,000, against $19,500 at University of Michigan.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's enrollment, and University of Michigan is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Michigan's enrollment of 34,177 far exceeds Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's 3,451.
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
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
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.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI · Public
With an enrollment of nearly 34,200 students, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a vibrant and competitive environment suited for those who thrive in large, diverse settings. The acceptance rate of just 16% means that the university attracts a motivated student body. Here, students dive into popular programs like Computer Science & IT, Engineering, and Business & Marketing, allowing them to engage deeply with their fields while also enjoying the resources of a large public university.
Looking at life after graduation, graduates from Michigan can expect to earn about $83,648 within ten years of completing their degrees. This level of earnings reflects the strong career support and alumni network that helps many students advance in their careers. The university’s high graduation rate of 93% speaks to the commitment of faculty and students alike, ensuring that most make it through to graduation, which is a key factor in securing better job opportunities.
When considering the financial aspect, the net price for students after financial aid is around $13,138, making it a reasonably affordable choice given the quality of education received. With a median debt of $19,500, most graduates leave with manageable loans, especially in light of their earning potential. Students who excel here often share a drive to succeed and a passion for their chosen fields, making Michigan a great fit for those eager to make an impact in their careers.
Rankings They Appear On
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor appear together in 3 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Online Bachelor's Programs, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ranks #3 — Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences outranks University of Michigan-Ann Arbor by 43 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Massachusetts Pharmacy's top program is Nursing (BSN) (93% of enrollment), while Michigan-Ann Arbor leads with Computer Science (16%).
Massachusetts Pharmacy
Michigan-Ann Arbor
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Massachusetts Pharmacy) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Michigan-Ann Arbor).
The two schools feed different job markets. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is strongest in Health Professions, Psychology, Physical Sciences, while University of Michigan concentrates in Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Social 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.
Massachusetts Pharmacy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or University of Michigan?
University of Michigan is harder to get into, admitting 16% of applicants compared with 85% at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Which is more affordable, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or University of Michigan?
University of Michigan is more affordable, with an average net price of $13,138 after aid versus $39,545 at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Do Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or University of Michigan graduates earn more?
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more: median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, versus $83,648 at University of Michigan.
Which has a better graduation rate, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or University of Michigan?
University of Michigan has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 63%.
Should you choose Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or University of Michigan?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Michigan 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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