Business Administration, Management and Operations at Bethel University

Bethel's business program starts strong with first-year earnings of $49,106—outpacing both the Tennessee median ($42,938) and the national average ($45,703). That 60th percentile ranking among Tennessee programs suggests solid initial placement. However, the earnings trajectory reverses sharply: by year four, graduates earn $46,678, a 5% decline that's unusual for business majors who typically see steady growth as they establish their careers.

The debt picture compounds this concern. At $40,408, graduates carry roughly 57% more debt than the state median and significantly more than the national benchmark. While the 0.82 debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, it means graduates are managing substantial loans while their earning power stagnates or declines. This combination—high debt paired with flat or declining earnings—creates financial pressure that compounds over time.

For families considering Bethel's business program, the key question is whether that initial earnings advantage justifies the premium debt load. The first-year numbers look competitive, but without the earnings growth that typically helps graduates outgrow their debt burden, this program presents a tougher financial equation than top Tennessee options like UT-Knoxville or Union University, where graduates earn $10,000+ more annually by year four while carrying comparable or less debt.