The ROI of a Lally School of Management Degree
More Than a Degree: Your Return on Investment
What is the return on investment of a business degree at Lally? At Rensselaer’s Lally School of Management, ROI means more than your first job offer. It’s about career acceleration, long-term salary growth, and leadership in today’s data-driven economy.
Graduates leave Lally with a STEM-powered business education that combines strategy, analytics, and innovation; skills employers demand in finance, consulting, technology, and beyond.
Strong Career Paths and Competitive Salaries
Why is a Lally degree worth it? Because it leads to strong career outcomes and competitive pay.
- Average Starting Salary: Undergraduate (management)- $78,733, Information technology and web science - $106,000, MBA and MS - $90,525 (Class of 2024, Average reported salaries)
- Top Employers: Amazon, EY, Goldman Sachs, IBM, Regeneron, Deloitte, JP Morgan
- Job Growth: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data-related roles are expected to grow 36% from 2021 to 2031, making them some of the fastest-growing fields in business services. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Why Lally Delivers ROI Others Can’t
Not all business schools create the same return on investment. Lally sets itself apart by integrating technology and management at every level.
- AI + Business Integration: Analytics, data science, and AI are built into the curriculum, not electives.
- STEM Advantage: Earn your business degree at one of the nation’s top technology universities.
- Hands-On Learning: Train with Bloomberg terminals, Tableau dashboards, Python, SQL, and real-world datasets from industry partners.
- Expert Faculty: Learn from professors conducting research in AI, fintech, analytics, and strategy.
- Professor Bill Francis, Warren H. and Pauline U. Bruggeman Distinguished Professor of Finance- researches issues in initial public offerings, corporate restructurings, and international asset-pricing
- Assistant Professor Lydia Manikonda- develops AI systems that integrate learning, reasoning, and human factors to solve real-world challenges in business (crowdfunding), public health (maternal health, addictions), and technology (generative AI, privacy, cybersecurity).
- Sr. Lecturer Kathy Fontaine- focuses on ethical informatics, data policy, and international data-sharing, building on 25 years at NASA Goddard and leadership roles with GEO, CEOS, and the Research Data Alliance.
- Career Support: One-on-one career coaching, employer connections, and a strong alumni network.
Making Your Investment Work for You
A strong ROI also means affordable, efficient pathways to your degree.
- Nearly all incoming undergraduate students (96%) at RPI receive financial support through grants, scholarships, or other aid. (IPEDS College Navigator)
- Accelerated Programs: Complete a BS + MBA or MS in just 5 years.
- One-Year Master’s Degrees: Fast-track your ROI with intensive programs.
Student Guide to Financial Aid
ROI in Action: Where Our Grads Are Now
The best measure of ROI? Our alumni.
"Lally’s courses gave me the skills to manage businesses end-to-end and analyze data—tools that directly translated into career opportunities and long-term success."- Alumni, Bachelors in Management 2023
Recent Alumni Titles: Business Analyst, AI Strategy Consultant, Risk Analyst, Product Manager, Geotechnical Project Manager, Financial Analyst, Investment Banking Analyst, Procurement Engineer,
Recent Alumni Employers: Deloitte, Johnson & Johnson, GE, Amazon, Vanguard, Philips, Abbot Labs
