Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 suggests manageable financial positioning for a business degree, though the figures here come from national peer programs rather than Bryan College's actual graduate outcomes. With estimated first-year earnings of $50,740 and debt around $26,500, graduates would be looking at roughly six months of gross income to cover their educational borrowing—a reasonable threshold by most standards.
The challenge is context. Business degrees produce widely varying returns depending on specialization, location, and employer connections. Tennessee's economy offers opportunities in healthcare management, logistics, and advanced manufacturing, but Bryan College's relatively low Pell grant percentage (22%) suggests a student body that may not need to worry as intensely about immediate earnings. If your family is borrowing significantly or counting on quick financial returns, the lack of school-specific data makes it harder to gauge whether this program delivers the networking and employer relationships that turn a general business degree into reliable career placement.
The estimated figures align with national medians, which tells you this program likely fits the middle of the pack—not a standout performer, but not obviously problematic either. Before committing, confirm how Bryan College's career services support business majors specifically, what internship pipelines exist, and whether alumni outcomes justify the investment for students who can't afford to graduate without immediate employment prospects.
Where Bryan College-Dayton Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all business, management, marketing, bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Business, Management, Marketing, bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bryan College-DaytonDayton | $18,900 | $50,740* | — | $26,500* | — |
 University of Minnesota-CrookstonCrookston | $13,120 | $82,115* | — | $29,062* | 0.35 |
 Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester | $16,450 | $80,842* | — | $15,697* | 0.19 |
 Wentworth Institute of TechnologyBoston | $41,010 | $73,382* | $78,432 | $27,000* | 0.37 |
 Worcester Polytechnic InstituteWorcester | $59,070 | $72,850* | $89,485 | $26,500* | 0.36 |
 Bentley UniversityWaltham | $58,150 | $70,365* | $89,440 | $26,000* | 0.37 |
| National Median | — | $50,740* | — | $26,000* | 0.51 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Bryan College-Dayton, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 31 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.