2026 data College Scorecard official source

Affordable Alternatives to MCPHS University

Open-data reference.

We found 15 schools structurally similar to MCPHS University that cost less. 4 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

MCPHS University

Boston, Massachusetts · Private Nonprofit

$39,545
Net Price
$125,557
Median Earnings (10yr)
85.2%
Acceptance Rate
62.7%
Graduation Rate

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to MCPHS University

MCPHS University posts an average net price of $39,545 after grants and scholarships, the IPEDS-derived figure used to anchor this alternatives search. We screened institutions in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for colleges that report a lower net price and share structural similarity with MCPHS University across six dimensions — ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, graduate earnings, and completion rate. 15 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $25,738, achieved by Stanford University at $13,807. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 4 of the 15 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above MCPHS University’s $125,557, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $108,247.

The similarity scoring treats enrollment size, Carnegie classification, and ownership sector as high-weight features because those structural attributes correlate most strongly with student experience and post-graduation outcomes in the College Scorecard literature. Admission rate and graduation rate enter as secondary features, while net price drives the cost-ranking that determines which institutions appear. Net price is an IPEDS-reported figure calculated as the average cost of attendance minus institutional and federal grants for first-time, full-time undergraduates receiving Title IV aid — so it already accounts for the aid a typical admitted student would receive. That makes it a more honest cost comparison than sticker-price tuition alone.

Similar Schools That Cost Less

15
Alternatives Found
$25,738
Max Savings
4
Better Value Options
65%
Best Match

Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings

Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Horizontal bar chart of the top 5 items by value (USD). Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Top 5 1. University of Health Science $137k 2. West Coast University-Orange $103k 3. Albany College of Pharmacy a $131k 4. Chamberlain University-Texas $92k 5. Chamberlain University-Michi $92k Compared to MCPHS University: $126k.

Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Institution-level earnings + cost-of-attendance file · 2024 (latest release) Median 10-year earnings reflect federal-aid recipients only; net price reflects sticker price minus average grants/scholarships.

School Net Price Savings Earnings (10yr) Graduation Similarity
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
Saint Louis, MO · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$31,817 -$7,728 $137,047 68.5% 65%
West Coast University-Orange County
Anaheim, CA · Private For-Profit
$32,879 -$6,666 $102,672 61.3% 62%
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Albany, NY · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$29,882 -$9,663 $131,426 68.2% 60%
Chamberlain University-Texas
Houston, TX · Private For-Profit
$32,209 -$7,336 $92,405 N/A 54%
Chamberlain University-Michigan
Troy, MI · Private For-Profit
$28,045 -$11,500 $92,405 N/A 49%
Bentley University
Waltham, MA · Private Nonprofit
$37,930 -$1,615 $120,959 87.5% 47%
Chamberlain University-Virginia
Vienna, VA · Private For-Profit
$33,199 -$6,346 $92,405 N/A 45%
Chamberlain University-Georgia
Sandy Springs, GA · Private For-Profit
$33,188 -$6,357 $92,405 N/A 45%
Stanford University
Stanford, CA · Private Nonprofit
$13,807 -$25,738 $124,080 92.4% 44%
Chamberlain University-Florida
Jacksonville, FL · Private For-Profit
$31,269 -$8,276 $92,405 N/A 44%
Chamberlain University-California
Rancho Cordova, CA · Private For-Profit
$36,559 -$2,986 $92,405 N/A 44%
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$16,075 -$23,470 $128,566 93.8% 43%
Chamberlain University-Ohio
Columbus, OH · Private For-Profit
$31,544 -$8,001 $92,405 29.3% 43%
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
Needham, MA · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$25,171 -$14,374 $129,455 94.2% 42%
West Coast University-Texas
Richardson, TX · Private For-Profit
$25,992 -$13,553 $102,672 N/A 42%

How We Match Schools

Our similarity engine compares schools across six dimensions: institution type (Carnegie classification), ownership (public/private), enrollment size, admission selectivity, graduate earnings, and completion rates. Each dimension is weighted by its impact on student outcomes.

Only schools with a lower average net price than MCPHS University are shown. Schools marked "Better Value" have comparable or higher median earnings at a lower cost.

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median values 10 years after enrollment, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students, as reported through IPEDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cheaper alternatives to MCPHS University?
We found 15 schools similar to MCPHS University that cost less. The closest match is University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis with 65% similarity and a net price of $31,817.
What is the ROI of attending MCPHS University?
MCPHS University has an average net price of $39,545. Graduates earn a median of $125,557 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 3.2x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than MCPHS University for less money?
Yes — 4 of 15 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis costs $31,817 (saving $7,728) with median earnings of $137,047.
What is the cheapest alternative to MCPHS University?
The most affordable similar school is Stanford University at $13,807, saving $25,738 compared to MCPHS University. It has a 44% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 15 alternatives have an average median earnings of $108,247 compared to MCPHS University's $125,557. While alternatives cost less, their average earnings are also lower. Individual results vary — check the comparison table above.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.