Business Administration, Management and Operations at Salem State University

Salem State's business program delivers solid debt management but lags behind other Massachusetts schools in earnings potential. With graduates earning $46,897 in their first year and carrying just $27,000 in debt, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 is quite manageable. However, among Massachusetts business programs, this ranks in the 40th percentile for earnings—meaning 60% of similar programs in the state produce higher-earning graduates.

The earnings trajectory shows steady growth, reaching $55,904 by year four, which represents a healthy 19% increase. While this beats the national median slightly, it falls short of the Massachusetts median of $48,790 for first-year earnings. The gap becomes more apparent when comparing to top programs: Boston College and Boston University graduates start at over $71,000, though they likely carry significantly more debt.

For families prioritizing affordability and debt avoidance, Salem State offers a reasonable path into business careers with below-average debt loads. The 96% admission rate makes it accessible, and the robust sample size gives confidence in these outcomes. However, if your child has strong academic credentials and you can manage higher costs, other Massachusetts programs offer substantially better earning potential that could justify the additional investment.