Business Administration, Management and Operations at Coe College

Coe's business program delivers manageable debt and strong earnings growth, but there's a catch: it starts behind the Iowa pack. First-year earnings of $47,815 land in just the 40th percentile among Iowa business programs—about $1,200 below the state median and roughly $10,000 behind leading in-state options like William Penn and Saint Ambrose. For parents comparing schools within Iowa, that initial gap matters, especially when the debt load ($27,000) matches the state norm.

The saving grace here is trajectory. Earnings jump 35% by year four to reach $64,694, suggesting Coe graduates gain valuable experience and advancement opportunities after establishing themselves in the workforce. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 remains reasonable, meaning graduates earn roughly $1.80 for every dollar of debt—not exceptional, but workable. Nationally, the program performs slightly better (58th percentile), likely because Iowa's business job market is relatively strong compared to other states.

For an anxious parent, here's the calculus: if your child can secure a similar starting salary at Iowa State or one of the higher-earning private schools without taking on significantly more debt, those options warrant serious consideration. But if Coe offers a better financial aid package or campus fit that reduces net cost, the long-term earnings growth makes this a defensible choice—just set expectations that the first few years will require budget discipline while your graduate climbs the ladder.