Location: Waltham, MA•In-State Tuition: $58,150•Admission Rate: 48%•Avg SAT: 1340
Est. Earnings (1yr)Estimated
$49,890
Est. from national median (103 programs)
Est. Median DebtEstimated
$25,000
Est. from national median (33 programs)

Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release). Some figures are estimates based on similar programs — see details below.

Analysis

A first-year salary near $50,000 for an international business degree falls short of what Massachusetts typically delivers. While peer programs nationally suggest earnings around this level, International Business programs across Massachusetts average $67,794—nearly $18,000 more than what comparable programs indicate for this credential. Bentley's peer institution, Northeastern, reports graduates earning over $80,000 in their first year, highlighting a substantial gap that's hard to ignore even when comparing estimated figures to actual outcomes.

The estimated $25,000 debt load produces a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio, which means monthly payments should stay affordable relative to income. That's the upside. But the broader concern is whether this particular combination of debt and earnings represents competitive positioning for a business-focused institution with a 1340 average SAT score and tuition that supports a relatively modest Pell grant population. Massachusetts employers clearly pay international business graduates well—the question is whether graduates from this specific program access those higher-paying opportunities or track closer to national norms.

Given the gap between state benchmarks and these estimated figures, parents should ask pointed questions about career services, employer connections, and actual placement outcomes before committing. The state's market rewards international business credentials generously, but that premium isn't guaranteed without understanding how this particular program connects students to those opportunities.

Where Bentley University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all international business bachelors's programs nationally

Bentley University (estimated ±10%)Other international business programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts

International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (18 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Bentley UniversityWaltham$58,150$49,890*—$25,000*—
Northeastern UniversityBoston$63,141$80,848*$91,133$25,729*0.32
Massachusetts Maritime AcademyBuzzards Bay$10,816$54,741*$69,477$25,000*0.46
National Median—$49,890*—$23,472*0.47
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with international business graduates

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/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:

Business Operations Specialists, All Other

All business operations specialists not listed separately.

Business Continuity Planners

Develop, maintain, or implement business continuity and disaster recovery strategies and solutions, including risk assessments, business impact analyses, strategy selection, and documentation of business continuity and disaster recovery procedures. Plan, conduct, and debrief regular mock-disaster exercises to test the adequacy of existing plans and strategies, updating procedures and plans regularly. Act as a coordinator for continuity efforts after a disruption event.

Sustainability Specialists

Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.

Online Merchants

Conduct retail activities of businesses operating exclusively online. May perform duties such as preparing business strategies, buying merchandise, managing inventory, implementing marketing activities, fulfilling and shipping online orders, and balancing financial records.

Security Management Specialists

Conduct security assessments for organizations, and design security systems and processes. May specialize in areas such as physical security or the safety of employees and facilities.

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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 103 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.