Median Earnings (1yr)
$57,141
95th percentile
Median Debt
$25,000
8% above national median

Analysis

Bentley's Business Communications program commands premium pricing but backs it up with exceptional national outcomes. With first-year graduates earning $57,141—placing them in the 95th percentile nationally for this major—students are gaining access to a caliber of opportunities that most corporate communications programs simply don't deliver. The $25,000 median debt translates to a manageable 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio, and that initial advantage compounds: four years out, graduates are earning nearly $75,000, representing 31% growth that suggests strong career trajectory rather than a ceiling.

The state-level picture tells a more modest story. At the 60th percentile among Massachusetts programs, Bentley is competitive but not dominant in-state. However, with only three schools offering this major in Massachusetts, the comparison pool is extremely limited, making the national standing more meaningful. The real question for families is whether Bentley's business school brand and network justify any premium over public alternatives. Given that graduates start $16,000 above the national median—a gap that widens over time—the program appears to be monetizing its reputation effectively.

For parents considering this investment, the math works. Your child would enter the workforce with strong earnings potential and reasonable debt, positioning them well above most corporate communications graduates nationwide. The risk isn't financial underperformance; it's whether this career path aligns with your child's long-term goals, given Bentley's business-focused environment.

Where Bentley University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/corporate communications bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Bentley University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Bentley University$57,141$74,655+31%
National University$38,696$69,428+79%
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College$47,880$62,502+31%
Chapman University$39,901$61,840+55%
Point Loma Nazarene University$41,988$58,762+40%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Business/Corporate Communications bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Bentley UniversityWaltham$58,150$57,141$74,655$25,0000.44
Aquinas CollegeGrand Rapids$38,520$49,378$51,589$23,2500.47
CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeNew York$7,464$47,880$62,502$12,1250.25
Walsh UniversityNorth Canton$34,595$46,213$53,616$30,6190.66
University of HoustonHouston$9,711$45,997$58,198$24,5670.53
University of Wisconsin-River FallsRiver Falls$8,606$43,149$52,519$22,3750.52
National Median$41,494$23,2500.56

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/corporate communications graduates

Public Relations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.

$132,870/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fundraising Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

$132,870/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Technical Writers

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

$91,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Editors

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

$75,260/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Writers and Authors

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Public Relations Specialists

Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

$69,780/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fundraisers

Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.

$66,490/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Proofreaders and Copy Markers

Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of braille.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Bentley University, approximately 15% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 48 graduates with reported earnings and 53 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.