Business/Commerce at Framingham State University

Framingham State's business program lands graduates right at the state median salary of around $51,000, but here's the concern: earnings don't budge over the next three years. While the initial paycheck beats the national average and the $26,000 debt load is manageable (taking just half a year's salary to pay off), Massachusetts business graduates typically see stronger growth trajectories. At 40th percentile within the state, this program sits squarely in the middle of a competitive field where top performers like Northeastern and UMass Dartmouth deliver significantly higher returns.

The static earnings pattern raises questions about the career momentum these graduates achieve. Most business programs show steady salary progression as graduates move from entry-level positions into roles with more responsibility, but that's not materializing here. This could reflect the types of employers hiring Framingham graduates or the industries they enter. For a family comfortable with middle-of-the-pack outcomes and prioritizing low debt, this works—the financial foundation is solid enough. But if your child has the credentials for more selective Massachusetts business programs, those extra upfront admission requirements often translate into meaningfully better salary growth and professional opportunities that compound over a career.