Babson College
Babson College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Babson College at a Glance
Babson College is a private business school in Wellesley, Massachusetts, United States specializing in entrepreneurship education. Founded in 1919 by Roger Babson, the college was established as the Babson Institute in his Wellesley home and initially granted one-year certificates. Babson College earned degree-granting authority from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1947.
1919
107 years old
$812M
$811.5 million (2025)
3,932
2,021 undergrad · 1,139 grad
206
350 acres
Identity
Is Babson College Worth It?
Babson College delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $40,514/year, it's priced 99% above average, while graduates go on to earn $123,938 — 130% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 93% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 17% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
Median student debt of $20,000 is manageable at just 16% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: Babson College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Babson College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MA
Ranked #7 of 12 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bowdoin College | 100 | $14,398 | $82,735 |
| #2 | Williams College | 100 | $17,716 | $88,665 |
| #3 | Davidson College | 100 | $17,379 | $81,400 |
| #4 | Washington and Lee University | 94 | $23,781 | $94,810 |
| #5 | Claremont McKenna College | 85 | $28,849 | $104,736 |
| #6 | Wellesley College | 76 | $25,496 | $84,803 |
| #7 | Babson College | 71 | $40,514 | $123,938 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Babson College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in MA.
Best Programs at Babson College
The highest-earning program at Babson College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $57,900/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Babson College earns $57,900, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $57,900. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $23,250 in median debt vs. $23,250 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $40,514/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $57,900 | $57,900 | $23,250 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Wellesley, MA
- Student Body
- 2,728 students
- Admission Rate
- 17%
- Graduation Rate
- 93%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $40,514
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $123,938
- Median Student Debt
- $20,000