Business Administration, Management and Operations at Fontbonne University

The estimated $27,000 in debt at Fontbonne sits right at the state median for business programs, but the earnings trajectory tells a more interesting story. While first-year earnings based on comparable Missouri programs suggest around $42,500, by year four graduates are earning $56,200—well above both the state and national medians for this field. That growth pattern is worth noting, especially when the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 means graduates would owe less than eight months of their starting salary.

What's less clear is how Fontbonne's specific outcomes compare to Missouri's highest-earning business programs. Ranken Technical College graduates earn $73,200, though that's likely a specialized technical focus. More traditional competitors like Columbia College and Park University cluster in the low $50,000s for first-year earnings, which Fontbonne's graduates appear to surpass by year four. The question is whether that four-year mark reflects stronger career placement or simply normal progression that peers also experience.

For families considering this program, the debt load is manageable and the mid-career earnings are solid. But because these figures are drawn from peer programs rather than Fontbonne's actual graduates, you're betting on the university delivering outcomes similar to the typical Missouri business degree. With a 95% admission rate and nearly half of students on Pell grants, Fontbonne serves a different population than some competitors—which could mean stronger support systems or different career networks.