Business Administration, Management and Operations at Lesley University

Lesley's business program stumbles out of the gate but shows remarkable recovery potential. First-year earnings of $46,448 lag behind the $48,790 Massachusetts median, placing graduates in just the 40th percentile statewide—behind most Bay State competitors. However, by year four, earnings jump 58% to $73,468, eventually surpassing even elite programs like Babson and Bentley in the early-career data.

The $20,500 debt load is notably lower than both the state and national median of $26,000, creating a manageable 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio. This matters because the program's slower start makes that lighter debt burden easier to handle during those initial lower-earning years. The 94% admission rate suggests Lesley casts a wide net, and with 28% of students receiving Pell grants, many graduates may be entering professional networks without family connections—which could explain the delayed earnings trajectory compared to schools with more privileged student bodies.

The compelling story here is growth, not immediate returns. If your child can weather the modest first-year salary and build experience, the four-year trajectory suggests strong upside. But families needing strong immediate earnings to justify the investment should look at programs where graduates start closer to $50,000-plus. This works best for students with financial runway to invest in their early career development.