Business Administration, Management and Operations at Davenport University

Davenport's business program offers a straightforward value proposition: manageable debt paired with solid mid-career earnings. Graduates start at $51,384—above the national median and roughly on par with Michigan's state average—while carrying $27,898 in debt. That 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio means students borrow roughly half their first-year salary, making the loan burden digestible for most graduates. The 22% earnings growth to $62,603 by year four shows real financial momentum, though this still trails Michigan's flagship universities by a significant margin.

What's notable here is Davenport's accessibility. With a 97% admission rate, this program serves students who might not gain entry to Ann Arbor or East Lansing, yet it delivers outcomes that beat 70% of similar programs nationwide. The debt is also lower than most—landing in the 23rd percentile nationally means only a quarter of comparable programs graduate students with less debt. For families weighing cost against outcomes, that's meaningful differentiation.

The practical takeaway: if your child needs an accessible entry point into business and you're comfortable with mid-tier Michigan earnings, Davenport delivers reasonable results without crushing debt. Just understand you're trading the prestige and network of state flagships for lower admissions barriers and comparable debt loads with respectable—if not spectacular—earnings potential.