Business Administration, Management and Operations at Adams State University
Bachelor's Degree
adams.eduAnalysis
Colorado business programs span a wide range, and Adams State's estimated outcomes land squarely in the middle. Based on peer programs across the state, graduates here can expect first-year earnings around $53,000βmatching the state median and outpacing the national benchmark by roughly $7,000. The estimated debt load of $21,751 creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41, meaning you'd owe less than half your first year's salary, which is manageable by most standards.
The limitation here is visibility. Without reported data from Adams State itself, these estimates draw from similar Colorado programs, not actual tracked outcomes for this specific school. That matters because the top programs in the stateβCSU Global, Regis, and othersβshow earnings climbing into the $60,000s and even approaching $70,000. Whether Adams State's actual graduates reach the state median or fall short is unknown, and that uncertainty compounds when you're investing four years and over $20,000 in debt.
The math works if the estimates hold, but you're making a decision with limited information. If proximity to Alamosa or specific program features matter, factor those heavily. Otherwise, this program looks reasonable on paper but lacks the proof that would make it a confident choice over schools with transparent track records.
Where Adams State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all business administration, management and operations bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado
Business Administration, Management and Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (17 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9,776 | $53,001* | β | $21,751* | β | |
| $8,400 | $69,863* | $76,302 | $33,530* | 0.48 | |
| $43,980 | $60,101* | $64,536 | $31,000* | 0.52 | |
| $39,266 | $56,606* | $54,734 | $24,870* | 0.44 | |
| $16,430 | $56,014* | $74,824 | $21,500* | 0.38 | |
| $12,896 | $54,846* | $66,656 | $20,967* | 0.38 | |
| National Median | β | $45,703* | β | $26,000* | 0.57 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with business administration, management and operations graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Financial Managers
Treasurers and Controllers
Investment Fund Managers
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Compensation and Benefits Managers
Human Resources Managers
Sales Managers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Adams State University, approximately 35% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 13 similar programs in CO. Actual outcomes may vary.