Business Administration, Management and Operations at Carson-Newman University

Carson-Newman's business program delivers exactly what the state median predicts—graduates earn $42,904 in their first year, virtually matching Tennessee's $42,938 average for business degrees. Four years out, earnings climb to $46,187, showing modest but steady 8% growth. The debt load of $22,477 is notably lower than both state and national benchmarks, creating a manageable 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates should handle comfortably.

The challenge here is opportunity cost. Within Tennessee, the earnings gap is significant: UT-Knoxville, Tennessee Wesleyan, Rhodes, Union, and Bryan College all produce business graduates earning $52,000-$59,000 in their first year—that's $10,000 to $16,000 more annually than Carson-Newman. Even accounting for Carson-Newman's lower debt, the earnings advantage at these programs would quickly outweigh any borrowing differences.

For families choosing Carson-Newman specifically for its faith-based environment or fit, the program won't create a debt crisis. But if your child has admission options at the higher-performing Tennessee schools listed above, the long-term financial advantage strongly favors those alternatives. The lower sticker price here doesn't translate into better career outcomes—it's simply an average result at below-average cost.