International/Global Studies at Emmanuel College

Emmanuel's International/Global Studies program shows troubling performance even accounting for the small sample size. At $29,688, first-year earnings fall significantly below both the national median ($32,819) and lag far behind Massachusetts competitors—this ranks in just the 10th percentile statewide, where programs at Boston College and Holy Cross produce graduates earning 70-90% more. When other Boston-area schools consistently deliver $40,000-$75,000 starting salaries in this field, Emmanuel's outcomes suggest either weak career placement or a curriculum that isn't translating to marketable skills.

The debt picture offers little consolation. While the $27,000 debt load is relatively modest and creates a manageable 0.91 ratio to first-year earnings, that ratio only looks reasonable because the earnings themselves are so low. Graduates are essentially taking on reasonable debt for unreasonable outcomes. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means this could be a statistical fluke, but that's a significant gamble when Massachusetts offers 17 alternatives in this field.

For families considering this program, the comparison to in-state alternatives is stark. Unless your child has compelling personal reasons to attend Emmanuel specifically—and you've verified recent employment outcomes directly with the school—other Massachusetts international studies programs appear to offer substantially better returns on a similar investment.