Bryant’s Class of 2024 graduates have achieved the most substantial return on investment in university history, according to new data compiled by the university’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategy.
The findings, released in March, report a median starting salary of $76,000 within the first six months post-graduation — a 5 percent increase from the previous year's record-breaking earnings of $72,500. Additionally, 99 percent of Class of 2024 graduates were either employed or pursuing advanced degrees within six months of Commencement.
They have secured positions with companies including Fidelity Investments, PwC, EY, Goldman Sachs, PepsiCo, and Oracle, among others, and continued their education at institutions including Yale, Dartmouth, John Hopkins University, Albany School of Law, Cornell University, and Villanova University.
"These strong outcomes show that Bryant continues to deliver an education that provides students with the skills, experiences and confidence they need to succeed in today's rapidly changing world," says Bryant University President Ross Gittell, Ph.D., noting that the university has also been recognized for its student outcomes by prominent publications including The Wall Street Journal. The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) recently ranked Bryant in the top 1% nationally for return on investment, one of several such rankings, and QS Quacquarelli Symonds awarded the university a five-star excellence rating.
The experiential learning opportunities available to Bryant students — from global internships to summer research placements to consulting partnerships with both private industry and nonprofits — are part of the foundation of this success, Gittell notes. A recent major expansion of the university’s internship policy, which now allows full-time students to pursue for-credit internships in the summer and winter months as part of their general tuition, will further aid students in acquiring key connections and experience.
Bryant University Provost and Chief Academic Officer Rupendra Paliwal, Ph.D. credits Bryant’s expert faculty, who are sought after for their expertise around the world, with helping students find their passion and prepare to lead in business and beyond. “Bryant’s emphasis on innovation, collaboration, and experiential learning are just a few of the reasons we are at the forefront of higher education,” states Paliwal. “Our unique interdisciplinary curriculum which is informed by corporate partners and responsive to emerging needs, provides the foundation for our students to address real-world challenges and to make an impact in their chosen fields.”
An emphasis on career preparation, which gives students the tools to translate their education into fulfilling careers, is woven throughout the Bryant curriculum, from a first-year course that focuses on career exploration and professional development to later offerings that aid future leaders in cultivating the experience, skills, and confidence to succeed from their first day in the workforce.
“It’s our responsibility to make sure that all of our students thrive while attending Bryant, in their lives, and in their careers,” says Inge-Lise Ameer, Ed.D., vice president of student affairs and dean of students. “A Bryant education gives them the tools to lead lives of meaning and personal fulfillment.”
Bryant’s nationally recognized Amica Center for Career Education, which supports students throughout their collegiate journey and five years post-graduation, collaborates with academic leaders, industry partners, and the university’s 50,000-strong alumni network to connect students with opportunities and mentors around the world.
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The historic opening of the Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Center — the new home of Bryant’s College of Business and ten new fully-equipped labs and centers dedicated to finance, data science, AI, global supply chain management, marketing, and other fields — ensures that Bryant’s graduates have more opportunities than ever to hone their talents and develop game-changing insights.
The Class of 2024 is also closing the gender wage gap, with a female-to-male average earnings ratio of 97 percent, compared to 83 percent nationwide. “Our women graduates are leading the way, earning more equitable wages than their peers across the nation,” Gittell notes.
In addition, Pell Grant recipients within the Class of 2024 achieved an average starting salary of $71,269 — a nearly 4 percent increase from 2023 — demonstrating Bryant's commitment to economic mobility and supporting students from all backgrounds on their journey to becoming the next generation of leaders.
As Bryant’s graduates attain new heights, university leadership is focused on strengthening the university's position as a transformative leader in higher education. New initiatives like the establishment of the PwC AI in Accounting Fellowship, through which students explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence with the guidance of both Bryant’s expert Accounting faculty and industry professionals, help Bryant students take their place at the cutting edge.
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Bryant’s first doctoral program, a Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) degree, reflects Bryant’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and outcomes. A new Sports Industries, Communication, and Promotion program helps students combine their passion with purpose and prepares them for roles in sports journalism, broadcasting, public relations, and digital and social media marketing.
