Business Administration, Management and Operations at Merrimack College

Merrimack's business program costs roughly what you'd expect for a Massachusetts business degree, but here's the catch: starting salaries land at just the 40th percentile among Bay State business programs. Your child will earn about the same as the state median initially ($48,018 versus $48,790), despite graduating from a state where business programs at Boston College, BU, and Babson regularly produce $70,000+ starting salaries. That's a $20,000+ annual gap right out of the gate.

The silver lining is momentum. Earnings jump 42% by year four, reaching nearly $68,000—a growth trajectory that helps close some of that initial gap. The debt load is also manageable at $27,000, giving graduates breathing room while their careers accelerate. This pattern suggests Merrimack grads may need a few years to catch up to peers from more selective programs, but they're not starting in a hole financially.

For families weighing cost versus prestige, this represents a middle-ground choice. If your child can access one of Massachusetts's top-tier business programs, the higher starting salary likely justifies any additional investment. But if those aren't options—or if avoiding debt is paramount—Merrimack offers a foundation that improves significantly with experience, without the burden of crushing loans that would negate that growth.