Lasell University graduates successfully manage their financial obligations, with zero defaults on federal student loans reflecting both strong career preparation and ongoing support.
The university combines accessibility for diverse students with the personalized attention and career focus that characterize quality small private colleges.
Lasell University is a small private nonprofit institution in Newton, Massachusetts, serving about 1,800 students in a suburban setting just outside Boston. The university focuses on experiential learning and career preparation, with particularly strong programs in exercise science, business, and communications. With about 32% of students receiving Pell Grants and 29% being first-generation college students, Lasell maintains moderate accessibility while providing the personalized attention typical of smaller private colleges.
Graduates earn a median of $49,705 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution around the middle of the national distribution for earnings outcomes. The university's strength lies in its supportive environment and career-focused programming rather than exceptionally high earnings, making it a solid choice for students who prioritize the college experience and personal development alongside financial outcomes.
As a "Selective Achievers" institution, Lasell demonstrates strong outcomes for the students it enrolls, though access remains more limited than at larger public universities. The combination of small class sizes, experiential learning opportunities, and proximity to Boston's job market creates a foundation for steady career growth, even if initial earnings are more moderate than at research-intensive universities.
Lasell University's program portfolio reflects its mission as a career-focused institution serving students interested in health, business, and applied fields. Exercise Science and Kinesiology leads enrollment with 42 graduates, preparing students for careers in fitness, rehabilitation, and health promotion where earnings of $36,717 represent solid entry-level compensation in growing industries.
Business Administration, with 21 graduates earning around $43,426, offers some of the stronger financial outcomes and connects students to Boston's diverse business community. The program with the highest aggregate return graduates 66 students with median earnings of $37,808, demonstrating consistent career preparation across the university's core offerings.
As a small institution, Lasell's programs emphasize hands-on learning and professional preparation rather than research or highly specialized technical training. This approach creates graduates who are job-ready and well-connected within their industries, even if initial earnings are more moderate than at research universities or technical institutes.
Lasell University graduates achieve steady, if moderate, long-term earnings outcomes. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $49,705, which places the institution around the middle of the national distribution. While these earnings are solid for a small private college, they reflect the university's focus on fields like exercise science, business, and communications rather than high-paying STEM disciplines.
The university's program mix centers on practical, career-oriented fields. Exercise Science and Kinesiology is the largest program with 42 graduates earning a median of $36,717, reflecting the health and fitness industry's compensation levels. Business Administration graduates, with 21 students earning around $43,426, represent some of the stronger financial outcomes. The institution's highest aggregate return program graduates 66 students with median earnings of $37,808, demonstrating consistent but moderate financial returns across its core offerings.
What Lasell provides is career preparation and networking within specific industries rather than exceptionally high starting salaries. The small program scale creates tight-knit professional networks, and the Boston-area location offers access to diverse employment opportunities that can support long-term career growth beyond the initial earnings figures.
Affordability at Lasell University varies significantly by family income, reflecting the typical private college pricing structure. Low-income students pay about $15,374 annually after aid, which is reasonable for a private institution, while middle-income families face costs around $22,986 per year. High-income families pay the full net price of approximately $33,233, which is substantial but competitive within the private college market.
Debt levels require careful consideration for most families. Typical graduates leave with $26,000 in federal student loan debt, a manageable amount given the institution's earnings outcomes. However, Parent PLUS borrowing averages $31,547, which represents a significant family investment. The combination of student and parent debt means families should plan carefully to ensure the total borrowing aligns with expected career outcomes and family financial capacity.
The university's 0% federal loan default rate indicates that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully, though this reflects both the institution's career services support and the financial stability of families who can afford private college tuition. For families who value the small college experience and can manage the higher costs, Lasell offers a clear path to degree completion and career entry.
Lasell University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
