Business Administration, Management and Operations at Arkansas Baptist College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 looks manageable at first glance, but the underlying numbers—drawn from peer programs across Arkansas—tell a more sobering story. Business graduates from comparable programs in the state typically earn around $39,000 in their first year, which trails the national median for this degree by roughly $6,600. Meanwhile, the estimated $27,000 in debt sits slightly above both state and national norms for business bachelor's programs. For a family evaluating this investment, that means potentially higher borrowing for below-average returns.

The gap between Arkansas Baptist and the state's stronger business programs is substantial. The University of Arkansas and several private colleges produce graduates earning $15,000 to $20,000 more annually, suggesting that program quality and institutional resources vary dramatically even within the same state. With nearly half of Arkansas Baptist students receiving Pell grants, many families here are already operating with thin financial margins—making that earnings gap particularly consequential.

Here's the practical question: can your child reasonably manage $27,000 in debt on $39,000 in first-year income? The monthly payment would consume roughly 8-9% of gross earnings, which is workable but leaves little cushion for unexpected expenses or delayed career progress. Before committing, compare actual outcomes at other Arkansas schools where data isn't suppressed—reported numbers will give you a clearer picture of what graduates from specific programs actually achieve.