Head-to-Head Comparison
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences vs University of Portland
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Boston, MA
University of Portland
Portland, OR
- Massachusetts Pharmacy Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 12
- Portland Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Portland offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $28,210 vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545, University of Portland delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Portland'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
Massachusetts Pharmacy
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, 52% more than University of Portland
- More selective: Admits 85% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Portland
- Lower cost: Average net price of $28,210, roughly $11,335 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 80% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $21,370, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Massachusetts Pharmacy graduates concentrate in Health Professions (93% of degrees); Portland in Health Professions (29%). 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 Portland. Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment vs $82,804.
Pick University of Portland over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Net price $28,210 vs $39,545.
Pick University of Portland 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
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and University of Portland are close on paper, but University of Portland 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
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is the harder admit. It takes 85% of applicants, while University of Portland takes 89%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,269 to 1,277.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 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 Portland comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $28,210, about $11,335 a year below Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545. Graduates of University of Portland also borrow less: median debt of $21,370, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $45,340 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Portland 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 $82,804 at University of Portland. 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 0.26x.
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
University of Portland 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 University of Portland 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 Portland saves about $11,335 a year, yet Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn $42,753 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 Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, while University of Portland leans toward Business & Marketing, Engineering. 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 Portland's $28,210.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,000, against $21,370 at University of Portland.
- Business and consulting-track students: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has less business program depth, and University of Portland offers the stronger options.
No strong negative signals — Portland competes well across the dimensions measured.
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
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 Portland
Portland, OR · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of just under 3,000 students, the University of Portland is a great fit for those seeking a close-knit community while still accessing solid academic programs. Students here often dive into popular fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, and Psychology. An acceptance rate of 89% indicates that the university welcomes a diverse range of applicants, making it an appealing option for many.
After graduation, students can expect to earn about $82,804 within ten years, which can be quite encouraging when considering job prospects. This earning potential reflects the university's focus on practical skills and career readiness. While nearly a quarter of students receive Pell Grants, the supportive environment helps many move up in their careers, even if specific mobility rates aren’t available.
When it comes to the financials, the net price after aid sits at $28,210, which can be manageable for many families. The median debt for graduates is $21,370, suggesting that most students can graduate with a reasonable amount of student loans. Those who thrive here are often proactive, engaged, and looking for a collaborative atmosphere that values both academic and personal growth.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Portland is featured on the Best Business Colleges in Oregon ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Nursing (BSN) as their top enrolled program field, comprising 93% of Massachusetts Pharmacy's student body and 29% of Portland's.
Massachusetts Pharmacy
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Massachusetts Pharmacy) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Portland).
The two schools feed different job markets. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is strongest in Psychology, Physical Sciences, while University of Portland concentrates in Business & Marketing, Engineering. 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 Portland?
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is harder to get into, admitting 85% of applicants compared with 89% at University of Portland.
Which is more affordable, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or University of Portland?
University of Portland is more affordable, with an average net price of $28,210 after aid versus $39,545 at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Do Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or University of Portland graduates earn more?
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more: median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,804 at University of Portland.
Which has a better graduation rate, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or University of Portland?
University of Portland has the higher graduation rate, 80% versus 63%.
Should you choose Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or University of Portland?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Portland 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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