Business Administration, Management and Operations at Bellarmine University

Bellarmine's business program produces first-year earnings of $41,061—below both the national median ($45,703) and just under Kentucky's median ($41,665). With debt at $26,000, graduates face a manageable 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning they'd need to dedicate about eight months of gross pay to clear their loans. While that's reasonable by national standards, it's worth noting that several Kentucky competitors deliver significantly stronger outcomes: Asbury grads earn $67,117, Thomas More grads earn $63,458, and even public options like Northern Kentucky ($44,564) and Western Kentucky ($44,498) edge ahead.

The performance gap is real but not dramatic within Kentucky—this program sits at the 40th percentile statewide, meaning most Kentucky business programs do somewhat better. However, the 94% admission rate and relatively modest SAT scores (1208) suggest Bellarmine may serve students who might not gain admission to more selective programs. For families comparing options, that accessibility matters.

The practical takeaway: if your child has other solid Kentucky options, particularly the top-performing private universities or even flagship publics, those would likely deliver better ROI. But if Bellarmine is offering strong financial aid or if your student values the smaller campus environment (25% Pell grant enrollment suggests some affordability focus), the debt load isn't catastrophic. Just recognize you're paying for the Bellarmine experience rather than standout business program outcomes.