Business, Management, Marketing, at Athens State University

Athens State University's business program graduates start strong at $63,754—roughly $13,000 above the national median—but that advantage disappears by year four. Among Alabama's limited business program options, this program sits at the state median for both earnings and debt, though the lack of comparable programs (only two schools report data) makes state rankings less meaningful. What matters more is that this program ranks in the 80th percentile nationally for earnings, putting it well ahead of most business programs across the country.

The debt picture is notably favorable: $28,098 represents a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary. This is actually below the national median debt for business programs, landing in the 25th percentile—fewer debt burdens than 75% of similar programs. For a school serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (42%), this relatively modest debt load matters considerably.

The earnings decline from year one to year four deserves attention. A 2% drop suggests graduates may be starting in higher-paying roles that don't offer much advancement, or that the regional job market limits growth opportunities. However, even with that dip, they're still earning above the national median four years out. For families comparing Alabama options or looking for a business degree with manageable debt, Athens State delivers solid initial earnings without the debt burden that often accompanies higher-ranked programs.