Finance and Financial Management Services at Nichols College

Nichols College's finance program sits squarely in the middle of Massachusetts' competitive landscape, landing at the 40th percentile statewide—meaning you're paying private school tuition (likely around $40,000+ annually) for earnings that trail UMass-Amherst's public option by nearly $4,000. Starting salaries of $49,581 lag both the state median ($55,914) and national benchmark ($53,590), though the 32% earnings growth to $65,388 by year four suggests graduates gain traction once they establish themselves.

The genuine bright spot here is debt management: at $27,000, graduates owe less than 85% of finance programs nationally despite Nichols' private school price tag. This likely reflects strong institutional aid (30% of students receive Pell grants, indicating need-based support). The 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates dedicate roughly half a year's salary to student loans—manageable in absolute terms, even if the earnings themselves disappoint relative to nearby competitors.

The critical caveat: this data represents fewer than 30 graduates, making these numbers potentially volatile. For an anxious parent, the question becomes whether Nichols' smaller environment and potential networking advantages justify underperforming state peers on earnings. If your child thrives in intimate settings and you're confident about the actual net cost after aid, the controlled debt load provides a safety net. But if you're comparing full-price private tuition against UMass or even Stonehill, those alternatives deliver better earning outcomes for your investment.