Business Administration, Management and Operations at Gordon College

Gordon College business graduates start well below typical Massachusetts earnings—$39,920 versus a state median of $48,790—placing them in just the 25th percentile among Bay State business programs. That's $20,000+ behind what BC and BU graduates earn, and even trails more affordable state options. However, the story transforms dramatically by year four: earnings jump 73% to $69,149, nearly matching the state's elite private schools.

This unusual trajectory creates a specific value proposition. The $24,250 debt load is manageable relative to first-year earnings (0.61 ratio), so graduates can handle their loans even during the lean early years. But parents should understand their child will likely need financial support or supplementary income initially—that sub-$40,000 starting salary in Greater Boston won't stretch far. The question is whether the eventual payoff justifies starting so far behind peers who launch at higher salaries and compound their earnings advantage from day one.

If your child has specific post-graduation plans that explain the delayed earnings—perhaps ministry work, nonprofit roles, or career paths where Gordon's values-focused network opens doors later—this pattern makes sense. Otherwise, Massachusetts offers business programs where graduates start and finish ahead financially.