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Cheapest Business Administration Colleges in Massachusetts

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Harvard University charges $59,076 in tuition but delivers an average net price of just $16,816 for Business Administration students, placing it among the most affordable options in Massachusetts. This financial aid power creates an unusual market where the world's most selective business school (3.24% acceptance rate) costs less than many regional colleges. Public universities like Worcester State ($14,738 net price) and Fitchburg State ($15,432) anchor the truly budget-friendly end, while graduates across all programs earn between $33,993 and $60,597 annually. Massachusetts hosts over 100 colleges within driving distance of Boston's financial district, where graduates find roles at Fidelity Investments, State Street Corporation, and countless startups. The state's MassGrant Plus program reduces costs further for residents, making business education accessible even at private institutions. Net prices range from $14,334 to $27,313, though earnings potential varies significantly based on school choice and career path.
41
Programs
$14,334 – $42,402
Net Price Range
$48,141
Avg. Program Earnings
64.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

41 Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,334 $22,490 44.4% 57.9%
2 $14,590 $37,227 56.9% 75.6%
3 $14,738 $11,286 55.5% 87.7%
4 $15,432 $11,046 52.7% 86.1%
5 $16,816 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
6 $17,733 $28,610 35.3% 61.9%
7 $18,282 $15,496 51.1% 80.8%
8 $18,441 $11,978 55.0% 92.7%
9 $18,627 $16,570 70.1% 86.0%
10 $18,707 $11,884 49.1% 92.5%
11 $20,605 $15,208 49.0% 95.5%
12 $21,436 $42,061 64.7% 90.9%
13 $23,691 $17,357 83.2% 63.5%
14 $24,817 $28,100 67.6% 91.8%
15 $24,944 $26,000 53.2% 73.2%
16 $25,299 $42,970 42.3% 89.4%
17 $25,702 $35,013 28.4% 74.2%
18 $25,810 $56,630 57.2% 68.9%
19 $26,996 $65,168 90.0% 14.4%
20 $27,313 $45,538 71.2% 76.5%
21 $27,711 $55,160 77.1% 50.3%
22 $28,853 $49,414 74.6% 82.3%
23 $29,187 $43,707 67.6% 75.6%
24 $29,396 $43,064 40.4% 69.6%
25 $29,504 $46,220 48.3% 87.5%
26 $29,969 $54,500 80.8% 73.4%
27 $30,031 $45,380 59.8% 86.8%
28 $30,236 $44,960 43.2% 76.0%
29 $30,934 $62,080 75.7% 79.5%
30 $31,065 $40,375 63.6% 84.9%
31 $31,170 $46,430 63.9% 88.0%
32 $31,569 $46,686 65.8% 79.7%
33 $31,805 $32,780 61.7% 86.2%
34 $32,116 $63,141 90.4% 6.8%
35 $34,170 $41,010 68.6% 92.3%
36 $37,899 $51,786 72.1% 74.6%
37 $38,787 $58,150 88.2% 57.9%
38 $38,876 $56,032 92.4% 22.4%
39 $39,324 $39,212 75.4% 73.3%
40 $39,866 $67,680 91.0% 16.7%
41 $42,402 $54,890 65.8% 47.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can Harvard business students actually expect to pay compared to state schools?

Harvard's net price of $16,816 falls between Worcester State ($14,738) and UMass Lowell ($18,627). While Harvard's sticker price reaches $59,076, financial aid brings costs down dramatically for most students. State schools maintain lower published prices, with in-state tuition ranging from $11,046 to $17,357 across the UMass system.

What salary differences exist between the most and least expensive programs?

Bay Path University graduates earn $51,065 annually despite a net price of $14,590, while UMass Dartmouth graduates earn $39,369 with a higher net price of $20,605. The earnings range spans from $33,993 at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts to $60,597 at top programs. Higher costs don't automatically translate to better salaries in this field.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Massachusetts business schools?

Harvard achieves a 97.30% graduation rate at $16,816 net cost, while Eastern Nazarene College graduates only 35.30% of students despite a similar $17,733 price point. UMass Amherst combines strong outcomes (83.20% graduation rate) with moderate costs ($23,691 net price). The relationship between price and success varies significantly across institutions.

How do student debt levels compare across different price points?

Student debt ranges from $19,500 at Worcester State to $27,000 at Eastern Nazarene College, with most programs clustering around $24,000. UMass Amherst graduates carry $20,500 in debt while earning $52,733 annually, creating favorable debt-to-income ratios. Private colleges generally show higher debt loads despite substantial financial aid packages.

Where do Massachusetts business graduates find the best job opportunities?

Boston's financial corridor employs thousands of business graduates at companies like Fidelity, John Hancock, and State Street Corporation. The state's biotech industry around Cambridge creates management roles, while Worcester and Springfield offer regional business opportunities. Massachusetts maintains unemployment rates below national averages, with business roles spanning from Fortune 500 headquarters to emerging tech companies throughout Route 128.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.