Business Administration, Management and Operations at Bemidji State University

Bemidji State's business program sits in an uncomfortable middle ground: it beats the national median by $1,700 annually, but falls $5,000 short of Minnesota's median for business graduates. That 40th percentile ranking among Minnesota programs matters because most students will compete for jobs in-state, where they're earning less than 60% of their peers from similar programs.

The debt picture offers some relief—at $23,500, it's lower than both state and national medians, creating a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio. A graduate could theoretically pay off their loans in about half a year's salary. However, the flat earnings trajectory (actually declining slightly from year one to year four) means there's no financial momentum building after graduation. When peers at Minnesota-Crookston are earning $58,805 and those at the Twin Cities campus reach $65,996, the $47,000 ceiling here becomes more significant.

For families prioritizing affordability and regional career options in northern Minnesota, this program delivers reasonable preparation without excessive debt. But for students willing to relocate within the state or their family can manage the Twin Cities' higher living costs, stronger-performing Minnesota programs offer substantially better earning potential that could justify the investment difference.