Location: Cambridge, MA•In-State Tuition: $60,156•Admission Rate: 5%•Avg SAT: 1553
Median Earnings (1yr)
$99,843
95th percentile
60th percentile in Massachusetts
Est. Median Debt
$24,840
Est. from national median (44 programs)
Sample: 18 graduates Limited data

Analysis

First-year earnings of nearly $100,000 put this program at the 95th percentile nationally—a striking outcome for an operations research-focused degree that typically produces more modest returns. While the debt figure of roughly $25,000 is estimated from peer institutions (MIT doesn't report this program's specific debt because of small cohort sizes), it aligns closely with national norms for this field and suggests a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.25. For context, the typical bachelor's program in management sciences produces first-year earnings of $62,000 nationally, making MIT's outcomes 60% higher.

What's puzzling is that within Massachusetts, this program ranks only at the 60th percentile—Bentley and Boston College graduates in this field earn around $80,000, still excellent but notably less than MIT's figure. This likely reflects MIT's unique positioning: its management science program draws heavily from operations research, analytics, and optimization methods that command premium salaries in tech and finance. The 5% admission rate and 1553 average SAT underscore that you're comparing highly selected students, which makes isolating the program's value difficult.

The estimated debt is manageable at any income level near $100,000, but remember that it's derived from institutional averages, not this specific program's graduates. If your child qualifies for MIT and is interested in analytical problem-solving, the early earnings potential appears exceptional. Just recognize you're partly betting on the MIT name and student quality rather than proven program-specific outcomes.

Where Massachusetts Institute of Technology Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all management sciences and quantitative methods bachelors's programs nationally

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (estimated ±10%)Other management sciences and quantitative methods programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates compare to all programs nationally

Massachusetts Institute of Technology earns $100k — 95th percentile among management sciences and quantitative methods bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (12 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge$60,156$99,843—$24,840*—
Bentley UniversityWaltham$58,150$81,103$100,883$25,000*0.31
Boston CollegeChestnut Hill$67,680$80,046—$18,582*0.23
Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater$11,389$45,720$56,932$27,000*0.59
National Median—$62,069—$23,250*0.37
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with management sciences and quantitative methods graduates

Actuaries

Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.

$125,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Statisticians

Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Biostatisticians

Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Management Analysts

Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

$101,190/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Operations Research Analysts

Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decisionmaking, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, services, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.

$91,290/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Massachusetts Institute of Technology, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.