Business Administration, Management and Operations at Bryan University

Starting at $42,525—in line with other Missouri business programs—this Bachelor's degree carries an estimated debt load of nearly $43,000, creating a 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio that leaves little financial breathing room in those crucial first years after graduation. With three-quarters of students qualifying for Pell grants, Bryan's population likely needs every dollar of that starting salary just to manage loan payments.

The troubling piece here is what happens by year four: earnings drop to $32,935, nearly $10,000 below the starting estimate. That's the opposite trajectory parents expect from a bachelor's degree, and it raises questions about graduate job stability or whether alumni are leaving the field entirely. Similar business programs across Missouri typically see earnings hold steady or climb modestly, making this decline particularly concerning even given the estimation methodology.

The estimated debt is significantly above both state and national medians ($26,000) for business bachelor's programs, while expected earnings lag the national benchmark by about $3,000. For context, reported outcomes from Missouri peers show what's possible: Ranken Technical College graduates earn $73,200, and even mid-tier options like Park University and Truman State deliver starting salaries above $50,000. Given the uncertainty in these estimates and the downward earnings trend, parents should request concrete placement data and alumni outcomes directly from Bryan before committing to a debt load this substantial.