Business Administration, Management and Operations at Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Wheaton's business program starts graduates at roughly national average earnings but trails most Massachusetts competitors—landing in just the 40th percentile statewide. That gap matters when you're competing for jobs in Boston's dense business market against graduates from BC, BU, and the business-focused powerhouses like Babson and Bentley, who all start $20,000-$40,000 higher.

The program's strength lies in what happens after that first job. Earnings jump 30% to reach $60,188 by year four, suggesting graduates develop skills that become more valuable with experience. The $27,000 debt load—below both state and national medians—keeps the financial risk manageable, with graduates owing less than six months of their starting salary.

For a family considering Wheaton against Massachusetts alternatives, understand you're choosing a path that requires patience and hustle early on. If your child thrives at smaller liberal arts colleges (71% admission rate, solid SAT averages) and can navigate those crucial first few years in entry-level roles, the trajectory improves meaningfully. But if they need strong early earnings or want the network advantages of the state's elite business programs, those schools justify their typically higher price tags with significantly better Day One outcomes.