Business Administration, Management and Operations at Chowan University

Chowan's business program sits squarely in the middle of North Carolina's offerings—40th percentile statewide—but that middle ground comes with concerning numbers. Graduates earn $37,634 in their first year, about $5,700 below the state median and nearly $8,000 below the national average for business degrees. More troubling, earnings actually decline to $35,934 by year four, a pattern that suggests limited career advancement despite accumulating $28,712 in debt.

The debt load itself isn't extreme at 76% of first-year earnings, but paired with stagnant income, it becomes harder to justify. A graduate from NC State or UNC-Chapel Hill earns $20,000-$48,000 more annually—enough to offset any tuition premium within a few years. Even mid-tier programs like University of Mount Olive deliver significantly stronger outcomes. Chowan serves a predominantly Pell-eligible student body (61%), which makes affordability critical, yet these graduates face years of loan payments without the salary growth typically expected from a business degree.

If your child is considering Chowan, treat the $28,712 in projected debt as the true price tag—one that buys below-average earning power in a state with much stronger options. Unless there are compelling personal reasons to attend (location, family circumstances, guaranteed transfer pathway), explore other NC business programs where graduates see both higher starting salaries and actual income growth over time.