Business Administration, Management and Operations at Corban University

Corban's business program delivers outcomes that lag both state and national benchmarks, but maintains a debt advantage that keeps it financially viable. Graduates earn roughly $5,000 less than the typical Oregon business graduate one year out, placing this program in the 40th percentile statewide—middle of the pack at best. The gap widens when comparing to top Oregon programs like George Fox ($63,331) and Warner Pacific ($58,899), which see nearly 50% higher starting salaries.

The saving grace here is manageable debt. At $21,500, students borrow about $5,000 less than both state and national medians for business programs. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50—not stellar, but workable for most graduates. The 21% earnings growth to year four also suggests reasonable career progression, even if the absolute numbers remain modest. With 90% of applicants admitted and only 28% of students on Pell grants, the school serves a fairly selective economic demographic despite its open admissions.

For parents, the calculation is straightforward: your child will likely earn less than at other Oregon business schools, but will also leave with less debt. If cost containment matters more than maximizing starting salary—or if your student needs a smaller, faith-based environment—the tradeoff works. But families who can afford alternatives should seriously consider Portland State or George Fox, where the earnings premium quickly justifies any additional borrowing.