Business Administration, Management and Operations at Fairmont State University

Fairmont State's business graduates start behind but make up significant ground, earning $33,767 in year one but jumping to $44,769 by year four—a 33% increase that narrows the gap with both state and national peers. That first-year figure ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally and 25th percentile within West Virginia, where the median business graduate earns $42,738. For context, WVU and Potomac State graduates in the same program start at nearly $50,000, while University of Charleston reaches over $63,000.

The $26,000 debt load is exactly average for business programs nationally, yielding a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77 based on first-year income. That ratio improves substantially by year four as earnings catch up. The question is whether students can weather those lean early years—$33,767 leaves little margin after loan payments and living expenses, even in West Virginia's low cost-of-area.

For families committed to staying in-state and seeking an accessible option (Fairmont admits 99% of applicants), this program offers a path forward with reasonable debt. But students should understand they're trading a weaker starting position for gradual improvement, and even after four years, they'll trail the state median. If your student has admission options at WVU or other state schools on that top-performers list, those provide meaningfully better earning trajectories from day one.