Business Administration, Management and Operations at Brevard College

Brevard College's business graduates start at $30,761—about $15,000 below North Carolina's median for this program and roughly $15,000 below the national benchmark. While earnings climb 24% to $38,010 by year four, they remain well behind what peers at NC State ($56,877) or even regional competitors achieve. Among North Carolina's 52 business programs, this lands at just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of state programs deliver better early-career outcomes.

The debt load of $27,000 roughly matches state and national norms, but paired with below-market earnings, the math gets tight. That 0.88 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates carry nearly a full year's salary in loans—manageable but leaving little financial breathing room early on. Brevard serves a significant population of Pell-eligible students (38%), but whether this program provides adequate economic mobility is questionable when starting salaries lag so far behind.

The crucial caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly. Still, for North Carolina families comparing options, the pattern is clear—Brevard's business program delivers returns well below what's available at public universities or even mid-tier private schools in the state. Unless there are compelling non-financial reasons to choose Brevard, families should seriously consider alternatives with stronger earning trajectories.