Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Lasell University #1279 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,329 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lasell University in the 52.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Lasell University #976 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Lasell University #1279 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Newton, Massachusetts, Lasell University enrolls roughly 1,226 undergraduates. The institution maintains a 70.4% freshman retention rate and a 58.6% six-year graduation rate, reflecting solid progress toward degree completion. Lasell University performs strongest on return on investment. Azimuth ranks Lasell University #976 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $58,411, and they earn about $1,329 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lasell University in the 52.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This earnings advantage reflects the institution's business-focused curriculum and strong employer connections in the Boston metropolitan region. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Lasell University sits in the 20.4 percentile for access and the 16.2 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls 31.3% Pell-eligible undergraduates and 28.8% first-generation students, reflecting a more selective admissions posture typical of private master's institutions. Mobility outcomes sit in the 36.9 percentile, indicating that while graduates achieve solid earnings, the institution's access to low-income and first-generation students remains a constraint on its overall composite ranking.
Lasell University's published cost of attendance is $42,434. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $18,334, mid-low-income families pay around $17,631, middle-income families pay about $25,139, mid-high-income families pay approximately $29,359, and higher-income families pay around $32,947. Azimuth ranks Lasell University #1194 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $40,506; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at Lasell University's median four-year earnings of $58,411, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Lasell University is a strong fit for students drawn to business and related applied fields who want a private college experience in Newton, MA. Its program mix leans heavily toward business — 28% of graduates pursue degrees in Business — and its suburban location provides access to Boston's labor market without the cost of a downtown campus. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $58,411, placing Lasell University in the 38.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $1,329 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 52.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure is need-based. Lasell University's published aid guidance commits to meeting demonstrated financial need in full under current financial aid policies, per the financial aid page ↗. For admitted Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 31.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 28.8% are first-generation — that structure can meaningfully close the gap between the published cost and what families actually pay. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 81.2% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors applied-professional fields over research-oriented ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in the region.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Lasell University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations
27 graduates
Hospitality Administration/Management
14 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
5 graduates
Marketing
8 graduates
Criminology
18 graduates
Lasell University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's focus on career-ready undergraduate education. Communication and Media Studies is the largest program with 47 graduates, followed by Kinesiology, Design and Applied Arts, Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations, and Psychology, General.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 282 students annually, the institution concentrates in applied business, management, and hospitality-related fields. The earnings pattern reflects strength in hospitality and business management pathways.
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations leads with median 4-year earnings of $69,156, followed by Hospitality Administration/Management at $68,693 and Criminology at $56,766. Business Administration and Kinesiology round out the highest-earning programs, with graduates earning $55,572 and $55,292 respectively four years after enrollment.
These outcomes align with the institution's dominant program family of Business, which accounts for a substantial share of degrees and drives the institution's overall earnings profile. The program portfolio emphasizes direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter hospitality, business operations, and management roles immediately after completion.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with regional and national labor-market demand in the hospitality and business services sectors.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Lasell University's published cost of attendance is $42,434. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $18,334, mid-low-income families pay around $17,631, middle-income families pay about $25,139, mid-high-income families pay approximately $29,359, and higher-income families pay around $32,947.
Azimuth ranks Lasell University #1194 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $40,506; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For the typical graduate at Lasell University's median four-year earnings of $58,411, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Lasell University earn median 4-year earnings of $58,411, placing Lasell University in the 38.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,329 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lasell University in the 52.2 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Lasell University #976 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Lasell University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Communication and Media Studies is the largest program with 47 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $53,172, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Kinesiology program graduates 35 students with median 4-year earnings of $55,292, while Design and Applied Arts delivers median 4-year earnings of $32,379 across 30 graduates.
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations and Psychology, General round out the top programs, with four-year earnings of $69,156 and $54,702 respectively. The dominance of Business — which comprises 28% of degrees — helps explain the institution's earnings profile and positions graduates for stable, professional-track careers.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roanoke College Similar quality tier (#34927 ranked) | VA | 83% | $58,047 | #34927 | Compare |
Hope College Similar quality tier (#34930 ranked) | MI | 79% | $58,427 | #34930 | Compare |
Bethany Lutheran College Similar quality tier (#34925 ranked) | MN | 39% | $46,110 | #34925 | Compare |
Tabor College Similar quality tier (#34933 ranked) | KS | 65% | $54,058 | #34933 | Compare |
Barton College Similar quality tier (#34934 ranked) | NC | 94% | $47,913 | #34934 | Compare |
