Location: Boston, MA•In-State Tuition: $45,380•Admission Rate: 85%•Avg SAT: 1197
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$53,219
Est. from national median (81 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$24,000
Est. from national median (18 programs)

Analysis

In Boston's competitive business education landscape, Suffolk University's Business/Managerial Economics degree lands in uncertain territory. Based on comparable programs nationally, graduates might expect first-year earnings around $53,200—notably lower than the $57,400 median for similar Massachusetts programs and far behind nearby Bentley's $68,600. With an estimated $24,000 in debt, the financial burden appears manageable in absolute terms (just under half of first-year earnings), but the return feels underwhelming given Boston's high cost of living and the program's location in one of America's premier business hubs.

The disconnect between Suffolk's 85% admission rate and Boston's high-powered business environment matters here. While peer programs in Massachusetts range from UMass-Amherst's modest $46,200 to Bentley's strong $68,600, Suffolk appears positioned somewhere in the middle—but without actual graduate outcomes data, parents can't know if this particular program punches above or below its statistical weight. For a field where earnings potential varies dramatically based on internship networks, alumni connections, and employer relationships, estimated figures provide limited reassurance.

The debt load won't be crushing, but the real question is opportunity cost. If your child is choosing between Suffolk and other Boston-area business programs, you're essentially betting on outcomes without seeing this school's actual track record in placing economics graduates.

Where Suffolk University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/managerial economics bachelors's programs nationally

Suffolk University (estimated ±10%)Other business/managerial economics programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts

Business/Managerial Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (4 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Suffolk UniversityBoston$45,380$53,219*—$24,000*—
Bentley UniversityWaltham$58,150$68,627*$79,298$27,000*0.39
University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst$17,357$46,170*—$27,000*0.58
National Median—$53,219*—$22,250*0.42
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/managerial economics graduates

Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Environmental Economists

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Management Analysts

Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

$101,190/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Economics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Survey Researchers

Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.

$63,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Suffolk University, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 81 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.