Business Administration, Management and Operations at Ferrum College

Ferrum's business program graduates earn just $33,795 one year out—roughly $12,000 below Virginia's median for business majors and $12,000 below the national average. This places graduates in the bottom 5% nationally and the bottom quarter statewide, even when compared to all business programs regardless of school selectivity. The gap is particularly stark when you consider that Virginia Tech business grads earn nearly double ($60,678) and even Virginia's median business program produces significantly better outcomes.

The $27,000 debt load itself isn't unusually high—it matches both state and national medians for business degrees. The problem is what graduates earn relative to that debt. A 0.80 debt-to-earnings ratio means the typical graduate owes nearly 80% of their first-year salary, making loan repayment a real squeeze on an already modest income. For context, most business programs produce stronger earnings growth that makes similar debt more manageable.

The data here comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could vary significantly. But even accounting for statistical noise, these numbers suggest Ferrum's business degree struggles to deliver competitive career outcomes. If your child is set on business and considering Virginia schools, the in-state options with stronger employment pipelines are worth serious exploration before committing here.