Business/Commerce at Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa's business program falls slightly below the national median for starting earnings ($43,111 vs. $47,506 nationally), but here's what matters for Colorado families: it actually outperforms more than half of business programs in the state. With nine business programs across Colorado to choose from, placing at the 60th percentile means this program beats several competitors while delivering essentially the same debt load ($24,000) as the state median. The comparison is particularly striking—you're looking at similar outcomes to Colorado State Pueblo but paying less than what students typically owe at pricier private options like Regis or Denver.

The trajectory here is encouraging. Graduates see earnings climb 28% by year four, reaching $55,102—this puts them well above the national 75th percentile by that point. That growth pattern suggests the degree opens doors rather than leading to a quick plateau. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 is manageable, translating to about half a year's starting salary, which most graduates can handle with standard repayment plans.

For families weighing Colorado options, this represents solid middle-of-the-pack value. You won't get University of Denver outcomes, but you're also avoiding the lower trajectories at schools like Colorado Technical University while keeping debt reasonable. If your student wants to stay in Western Colorado or doesn't need the prestige of flagship programs, the math works—especially given the healthy earnings growth after graduation.