Business, Management, Marketing, at Massasoit Community College

Massasoit Community College manages to deliver what many business programs don't: strong earnings with minimal debt. With just $10,440 in typical student debt—less than half the national average of $21,001 for business associate programs—graduates enter the workforce without the crushing burden that often accompanies credential-seeking. That first-year salary of $34,734 means the debt gets paid down quickly, creating a financial foundation rather than a liability.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story. Four years out, median pay reaches $44,398, a 28% increase that suggests graduates are moving into supervisory or specialized roles rather than plateauing in entry-level positions. While the program ranks at the 60th percentile among Massachusetts business programs, the debt-to-earnings picture (0.30 ratio) is what makes this compelling. You're getting solid middle-class earnings without mortgaging your child's twenties to student loan payments.

The moderate sample size means results could vary somewhat year to year, but the fundamentals here are sound. For families concerned about college affordability—and particularly those who qualify for Pell grants—this represents the community college value proposition working as intended: marketable skills, manageable debt, and a clear path to economic stability.