Business Administration, Management and Operations at Donnelly College

Similar business bachelor's programs in Kansas typically produce first-year earnings around $52,000—a figure that puts graduates just above the national median for this degree and competitive with the state benchmark. With estimated debt of $27,000, that translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with about six months of their first year's salary. For a school serving a predominantly Pell-eligible population (63% of students), these outcomes suggest the program provides genuine access to middle-class earning potential.

The caveat worth noting: we're relying on statewide patterns because Donnelly's specific graduate numbers are too small for the Department of Education to publish. Other Kansas business programs with reported data—like Southwestern College at $60,000 or Baker University at $59,000—show there's upside potential in the state, though how Donnelly's outcomes compare to these peers remains unclear. The debt estimate aligns closely with the national median for business degrees, which provides some reassurance about borrowing levels.

For parents weighing this investment, the estimated numbers paint a reasonable picture—debt that appears manageable against solid earning potential in a practical field. Just recognize you're making this decision with less certainty than you'd have at schools with published outcomes, so connecting with actual Donnelly business alumni about their career paths would be especially valuable here.