Business Administration, Management and Operations at Bunker Hill Community College

Bunker Hill's business associate degree starts modestly but delivers something more important—momentum. While first-year earnings of $34,817 land in the 40th percentile among Massachusetts business programs, graduates see their income jump 40% to $48,689 by year four. That trajectory matters more than the initial salary, particularly when you're carrying less than $10,000 in debt.

The tradeoff here is clear: you'll earn less initially than graduates from Northern Essex ($46,439) or Mount Wachusett ($43,503), but your debt load is competitive and the earnings growth is substantial. For students who need to start working immediately while building toward better opportunities, this path works. The 40% earnings increase suggests graduates are moving into higher-responsibility roles or pivoting into better-paying sectors—exactly what a business degree should enable.

The program serves a large population of Pell-eligible students (38%), which may explain the conservative starting salaries. For families prioritizing manageable debt and clear upward mobility over immediate high earnings, Bunker Hill delivers. Just recognize your child will likely need to hustle for advancement opportunities during those first few years to match the growth pattern seen in the data.