Business Administration, Management and Operations at Concordia College at Moorhead

Concordia College at Moorhead graduates earning $48,474 in their first year lag behind the Minnesota median of $52,469—a gap that matters when you're comparing in-state options. This program ranks in just the 40th percentile among Minnesota business schools, meaning 60% of comparable state programs deliver stronger initial returns. For context, graduates from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities start around $66,000, while even Rasmussen's business grads begin near $60,000.

The bright spot here is trajectory: earnings jump 38% to nearly $67,000 by year four, which closes much of that initial gap and pushes graduates well above the national median. The debt burden of $26,854 is also manageable—it's actually slightly below both state and national averages, translating to a healthy 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio. You won't find many business programs with lower debt loads.

Here's the practical question: is it worth accepting lower starting pay for solid four-year growth? If your child plans to stay in Minnesota, they'll be competing against graduates from programs that offer both stronger starting salaries and similar debt levels. The value here depends heavily on whether they can leverage Concordia's network and whether they're willing to be patient through those earlier career years. For families prioritizing immediate post-graduation income or considering private sector roles in the Twin Cities, stronger in-state alternatives exist.