Business/Commerce at Regis College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.4 typically signals manageable borrowing, but here's the complication: both the $35,122 first-year earnings and $14,094 debt figures come from peer programs nationally, not from Regis College's actual outcomes. With only three schools in Massachusetts offering this type of business certificate, there's simply not enough track record to know how this specific program performs.

What we can say is that similar undergraduate business certificates nationwide cluster around the same earnings level, suggesting this isn't a credential that commands premium starting salaries regardless of institution. The estimated debt sits below the national median for these programs ($15,205), which is encouraging. However, Massachusetts programs in this category show a median debt of $19,480—significantly higher—so the trajectory for Bay State students pursuing similar credentials may differ from national patterns.

The core question for parents: is an undergraduate certificate in business from a private Massachusetts college the right stepping stone, or would a traditional four-year business degree provide better returns? These shorter credentials work best when they serve a specific career pivot or supplement existing experience. Given Regis's 89% admission rate and the lack of concrete outcomes data for this program, you're essentially betting on the value of the Regis name and network in the Boston area rather than on documented graduate success. If your student needs the flexibility of a certificate program, confirm what employers in their target field actually recognize and value.