Business Administration, Management and Operations at Averett University

Averett's business program delivers something unusual: strong first-year outcomes at a manageable debt level, with graduates earning $60,150—$14,600 above the national median and outperforming 80% of Virginia business programs. With debt under $32,000, the initial debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 looks quite reasonable for a business degree.

The puzzle here is the earnings decline to $54,100 by year four. This backward trajectory is atypical, though graduates still earn above national benchmarks even four years out. This could reflect first-job placement success that doesn't fully translate into mid-career momentum, or simply the limitations of a moderate sample size where a few career paths skew the data. It's worth noting that even with this decline, Averett graduates are earning more than peers at most Virginia business programs.

For families comparing options, this represents solid value—particularly for students who might not gain admission to the state's elite programs like William & Mary or James Madison. The debt burden is reasonable, and the early earnings advantage suggests the program delivers practical skills that employers value immediately. Just understand that this may not be the fast-track MBA-feeder program that some higher-priced business schools offer, and growth patterns show some uncertainty past the initial placement.