Analysis
Boston College's Management Sciences program lands you squarely in the middle of Massachusetts's competitive analytics landscape—earning $80,046 first-year out, you'll match the state median almost exactly while carrying 26% less debt than typical Bay State graduates. The catch? You're paying Boston College's selective private school price tag to earn what students at Bentley achieve, and just 18% less than MIT grads who command nearly six figures. Nationally, this program punches well above average (95th percentile), but in Massachusetts's unusually strong quant methods market, it's merely adequate.
The debt picture offers some reassurance: at $18,582, you're borrowing less than the state median of $25,000, giving you a comfortable 0.23 debt-to-earnings ratio. This means even with Boston's high cost of living, loan payments should consume less than 10% of gross income. The program's moderate sample size suggests steady graduate numbers, not a tiny cohort where outcomes might swing wildly.
For an anxious parent, here's the reality: your child gets Boston College's prestigious brand and campus experience, emerges with manageable debt, and earns solidly above the national average. But if they're specifically targeting quantitative management roles in Massachusetts, they'll face stiff competition from Bentley grads earning essentially the same and MIT grads earning significantly more. This works best for students who value BC's broader liberal arts environment and Jesuit network over maximizing first-year salary in the regional analytics job market.
Where Boston College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all management sciences and quantitative methods bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Boston College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (12 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $67,680 | $80,046 | — | $18,582 | 0.23 | |
| $60,156 | $99,843 | — | — | — | |
| $58,150 | $81,103 | $100,883 | $25,000 | 0.31 | |
| $11,389 | $45,720 | $56,932 | $27,000 | 0.59 | |
| National Median | — | $62,069 | — | $23,250 | 0.37 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with management sciences and quantitative methods graduates
Actuaries
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Chief Executives
Chief Sustainability Officers
General and Operations Managers
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Financial Risk Specialists
Management Analysts
Operations Research Analysts
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 Boston College, approximately 13% 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 84 graduates with reported earnings and 81 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.