Business Administration, Management and Operations at Ecclesia College

A $27,000 debt load for a business degree might sound manageable until you see where Arkansas business graduates typically land. Similar programs across the state suggest first-year earnings around $39,000—that's $6,700 below the national median for business bachelor's degrees. More concerning, Ecclesia's estimated debt sits above both the state median ($24,500) and national median ($26,000), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 that's workable but leaves less margin for error than you'd want.

The gap between Ecclesia's likely outcomes and Arkansas's top business programs is substantial. University of Arkansas Grantham grads earn around $59,000 their first year, while even public options like Arkansas Tech hit $40,000—both typically with lower debt burdens. For a school serving 53% Pell-eligible students, those extra dollars matter significantly when loan payments start. The 48% admission rate suggests selectivity, but that hasn't translated into the earnings premium you'd hope to see.

If your student is set on Ecclesia for non-financial reasons—perhaps its Christian mission or tight-knit community—the numbers aren't disqualifying. But financially, this appears to be paying more to earn less compared to peer Arkansas programs. Before committing, get concrete placement data directly from Ecclesia's career services and compare the total cost of attendance against state schools where business grads' outcomes are documented, not estimated.