Business Administration, Management and Operations at Barclay College

A $27,000 debt load for a business degree is manageable when similar Kansas programs produce around $52,000 in first-year earnings—putting this program right at the state median for both metrics. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52, graduates from comparable programs typically earn double what they owe, a threshold that makes monthly loan payments feasible while building a career. What matters more than these peer-based estimates is understanding that Barclay serves primarily lower-income students (65% receive Pell grants), so the real question is whether this smaller institution provides the support and networking those students need to reach typical business graduate outcomes.

The uncertainty here isn't alarming—it simply means Barclay's business program hasn't had enough recent graduates for the Department of Education to report specific data. Other Kansas business programs show a wide range of first-year outcomes, from the low $50,000s to nearly $60,000, suggesting that individual program quality, internship connections, and regional job markets matter significantly. Barclay's 54% admission rate indicates it's accessible but not open enrollment, which can be important for students who need a second chance at a four-year degree.

For your investment decision: the estimated numbers suggest standard performance for a Kansas business degree, not a standout opportunity but not a warning sign either. The real due diligence involves talking to current students and recent alumni about job placement support and whether graduates are actually landing in their field—the connections a small college provides often matter more than the credential itself.