Business Administration, Management and Operations at Auburn University at Montgomery

Alabama's business programs produce widely different outcomes, and Auburn Montgomery's estimated trajectory falls in the middle of the pack. With first-year earnings around $40,689—matching the state median but trailing the national benchmark by $5,000—graduates from similar programs face a tougher starting point than their peers at flagship institutions like Auburn ($56,948) or Alabama ($48,668). By year four, earnings climb to nearly $50,000, suggesting steady but not spectacular progression.

The $31,000 debt load sits slightly above both state and national medians for business programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 in that first year. That's manageable—you're not drowning in payments—but it means similar programs elsewhere are delivering better value. Nearly half the students here receive Pell grants, and for families watching every dollar, that difference between $31,000 borrowed and $26,000 (the national norm) compounds quickly when paired with below-average starting pay.

The core question is whether a business degree from this particular campus positions graduates as competitively as alternatives in Alabama. The earnings gap compared to Auburn or Alabama isn't insurmountable, but it's real. If your child is choosing between Auburn Montgomery and these flagship options—and can manage similar debt loads at either—the data suggest the latter offer stronger early returns.