Business Administration, Management and Operations at Concordia University Ann Arbor

Concordia's business program delivers solid earnings at a price point that makes sense. Starting salaries of $56,347 outpace the national median by 23% and sit comfortably above Michigan's state median of $50,550. More importantly, graduates carry just $27,625 in debt—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 that's better than 76% of similar programs nationally.

The 60th percentile ranking within Michigan tells an interesting story: you're not competing with Michigan or MSU grads here, but you're performing above most in-state options at schools with comparable admission profiles. That 16% earnings growth to $65,093 by year four suggests graduates gain traction in their careers, likely moving into supervisory or specialist roles. For a school with a 72% admission rate, these outcomes represent genuine value—students who might not access elite programs are still reaching earnings that support comfortable debt repayment.

The real question is whether paying similar debt ($27,625 vs. $27,000 state median) for above-average but not top-tier Michigan earnings makes sense when Oakland and Grand Valley deliver comparable results. If your child values Concordia's faith-based environment or smaller class sizes, the financial outcomes support that choice. The math here works: manageable debt, strong first-year earnings, and steady career progression.