Business Administration, Management and Operations at American International College

A $35,781 starting salary represents a significant gap against Massachusetts norms—this program sits at just the 25th percentile for business degrees in the state, where the median is $48,790. That $13,000 difference compounds quickly over time. While the $30,120 in debt isn't catastrophic, it takes on different meaning when paired with earnings that trail even the national median by nearly $10,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.84 suggests manageable monthly payments, but you're managing payments on below-market income.

The broader context matters here: American International College's 97% admission rate and 50% Pell grant population indicate it serves students who may have fewer alternatives, which is valuable. But for business specifically—one of the most widely available degrees—families have options. Massachusetts hosts 44 business programs, including solid mid-tier choices that deliver substantially better outcomes without requiring admission to elite schools like Boston College or Bentley.

Fair warning: the sample size is small, meaning these numbers could shift significantly year to year. But if earnings in this range hold steady, parents should recognize they're paying private college prices (in debt) for below-average outcomes in a competitive field. For a business degree in Massachusetts, you can likely find better value elsewhere, particularly at public universities where lower sticker prices would result in less debt on similar starting salaries.