MCPHS Ranks Among Top 5 US Colleges for Return on Investment

The Georgetown team assessed the return on investment that universities provide for their students over the long run.

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) has been ranked No. 5 in the nation for return on investment (ROI), according to new data from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce.

The study, which evaluated more than 4,600 U.S. colleges and universities using data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, estimates a 40-year net present value (NPV) of $4.24 million for MCPHS graduates—placing the university among top performers such as MIT, Stanford, and Princeton.

MCPHS also ranks No. 2 in both Massachusetts and the New England region, second only to MIT.

The report highlights the economic value of degrees from institutions focused on science, technology, engineering, and health. Seven of the top 10 institutions specialize in these areas, reflecting growing demand in STEM and healthcare fields.

MCPHS, which has consistently placed in the top tier of ROI rankings, is one of the few specialized health sciences universities to land in the top five. Its graduates pursue careers in high-demand fields such as pharmacy, nursing, physical therapy, and physician assistant studies.

“MCPHS has always focused on preparing students for careers that are both personally meaningful and well aligned with the healthcare workforce needs,” said Craig Mack, Ed.D., Associate Provost for Student Achievement and Success. “We are glad to see this reflected in a long-term value to our graduates.”

The Georgetown report uses NPV to estimate ROI, comparing future earnings to the cost of attendance. While student loan debt is not directly factored in, the analysis provides a long-term view of higher education’s financial payoff. For MCPHS, the estimated ROI is $336,000 after 10 years, $987,000 at 15 years, and breaks seven figures at 20 years with $1.64 million. At 30 years, it reaches $2.94 million, and by 40 years, totals $4.24 million.

The findings reflect a broader trend in higher education: institutions that align closely with workforce needs—particularly in health and life sciences—often offer a stronger return than even elite liberal arts colleges.

MCPHS offers more than a hundred academic programs across 12 schools and three campuses in Boston, Worcester and Manchester, N.H., creating an interprofessional learning environment that trains students for high-paying and rewarding careers in healthcare.