Business/Commerce at Fort Lewis College

Fort Lewis College's business program starts graduates at just $33,376—nearly $14,000 below Colorado's median for business majors and in the bottom 5% nationally. That's a tough launch, even with relatively manageable debt of $20,500. The silver lining? Earnings jump 58% by year four to $52,714, eventually surpassing both state and national benchmarks. But graduates need to weather those lean early years, which could make loan repayment more stressful than at programs like Colorado Mesa or CSU Pueblo where starting salaries are $10,000 higher.

The debt picture looks deceptively favorable—Fort Lewis charges less than most Colorado business programs—but the real issue is earning power. Starting $10,000 behind the state median means graduates may need to live frugally or delay major financial decisions during those critical first post-college years. The eventual earnings recovery is encouraging, but it raises questions about whether graduates are simply catching up to where they should have been at the start.

For families prioritizing immediate job market readiness, Fort Lewis's business program presents a gamble. If your child can manage tight finances initially and you're confident they'll stick it out to see that year-four boost, the lower debt load might offset the slow start. But if they need to support themselves immediately after graduation, programs at Colorado's larger public universities offer stronger launch pads without requiring that same patience.