Business Administration, Management and Operations at Cambridge College

Cambridge College graduates start strong—really strong. That $64,502 first-year salary beats 95% of business programs nationally and ranks in the 80th percentile among Massachusetts schools, rivaling programs at far more selective institutions. With debt below the national median at $27,083, the initial return looks excellent for a program serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients.

The problem emerges over time: earnings drop 18% by year four, falling to $53,036. This decline is unusual and suggests graduates may be starting in temporary or transitional roles rather than building toward traditional business careers. The moderate sample size means this pattern could reflect the specific paths of this graduate cohort, but it's a red flag parents should investigate. Are graduates pursuing entrepreneurship? Switching industries? Working in non-traditional career paths that pay less initially but offer other benefits?

For families weighing cost against outcomes, the first-year numbers make this program look like a bargain. But the earnings trajectory demands closer scrutiny. Talk to the career services office about where graduates actually work five years out and why the typical path differs from the steady growth most business degrees deliver. If your student plans a conventional corporate career, programs with flatter but more predictable earnings curves may be safer bets.