Business Administration, Management and Operations at California Baptist University

California Baptist University's business program reports exceptional first-year earnings of nearly $65,000—placing it in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile among California business programs. That puts graduates ahead of 80% of California business schools, trailing only heavyweights like UC Berkeley, USC, and Cal Poly SLO. The $49,000 median debt is notably higher than both the state median ($21,000) and national average ($26,000), yet the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 remains manageable, meaning graduates earn roughly $1.30 for every dollar borrowed.

However, the sample size here is critical—with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these numbers could reflect a few exceptional outcomes rather than typical results. A small cohort where several graduates landed unusually high-paying roles could dramatically skew the median upward. For a 74% admission rate school serving a significant Pell grant population (41%), these earnings are impressive but worth verifying through additional conversations with current students or career services.

If these numbers hold across larger cohorts, this program punches well above its weight. But given the data limitations, parents should dig deeper: ask about specific employer connections in Riverside and Southern California, request detailed placement reports, and understand what percentage of graduates actually achieve these salary levels. The potential is clear, but confirmation is essential before committing to above-average debt loads.