Business Administration, Management and Operations at Greenville University

Something unusual happens with Greenville's business program after graduation: earnings appear to drop from an estimated $46,431 in year one to $36,077 by year four. While the first-year figure comes from comparable Illinois business programs, that four-year decline is actually reported data for this school—and it runs counter to typical career trajectories where business graduates see steady salary growth. This could reflect graduates moving to lower-cost-of-living areas, switching to nonprofit or ministry work (given Greenville's faith-based mission), or taking time for graduate school.

The $28,250 debt load sits just above the national median and would be manageable if that first-year estimate holds true—you'd start with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61, better than many business programs. But if earnings actually track closer to that $36,077 four-year figure, the financial picture tightens considerably. For context, top Illinois business programs like U of I Urbana-Champaign produce graduates earning $68,000+, nearly double what Greenville's alumni report by year four.

For parents, this means accepting significant uncertainty about post-graduation outcomes. The estimated starting salary suggests a viable path, but the reported four-year earnings raise real questions about career progression. If your student values Greenville's small campus and faith community, understand you may be trading earnings potential for that environment—and budget accordingly.