Business Administration, Management and Operations at Lasell University

That dramatic 93% earnings jump tells only part of the story—and it's the wrong part. While Lasell's business graduates see their earnings nearly double from $28,000 to $54,000 over four years, they're starting from an extremely low baseline. That first-year figure ranks in the 5th percentile nationally and 10th percentile among Massachusetts business programs, where the state median sits at $49,000. Even after four years, these graduates are barely catching up to what typical business majors earn right out of college elsewhere. Among 44 Massachusetts business programs, only a handful produce weaker outcomes.

The $27,000 debt load looks manageable on paper, sitting right at national and state medians. But paired with that $28,000 starting salary, new graduates face nearly dollar-for-dollar debt to first-year earnings—a tough position when Massachusetts' cost of living runs well above average. The sample size here is small (under 30 graduates), so individual circumstances could be skewing these numbers. Still, the gap between Lasell and Boston-area alternatives like Bentley ($68,000) or even UMass Boston (likely stronger) is too wide to ignore.

If your child is set on Lasell for its smaller environment or other factors, this business program represents a significant financial compromise. The four-year earnings trajectory suggests eventual recovery, but those first few years will be lean—particularly challenging in an expensive state like Massachusetts.