Business Administration, Management and Operations at Bethany Lutheran College

Bethany Lutheran College's business program significantly underperforms within Minnesota, where graduates would earn about $5,000 less annually than the state median for business majors. While the $44,462 starting salary sits close to the national average, it falls in just the 25th percentile among Minnesota programs—meaning three-quarters of comparable in-state options produce better-earning graduates. For Minnesota families, this matters: nearby alternatives like the University of Minnesota system offer substantially higher returns, with graduates earning $20,000+ more within a year of graduation.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $26,000, borrowing aligns exactly with national and state medians, creating a manageable 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates should be able to handle their loans on entry-level business salaries. However, the modest 8% earnings growth to year four suggests limited career acceleration compared to peers at stronger programs.

For families committed to Bethany Lutheran's small-school environment, this program won't create financial hardship. But purely as a business degree investment in Minnesota, the earnings gap is substantial and persistent. If your child is staying in-state and prioritizing career outcomes, exploring higher-ranked Minnesota programs would likely deliver significantly better financial returns on a similar debt load.