Business Administration, Management and Operations at Hannibal-LaGrange University

At $39,736 in first-year earnings, Hannibal-LaGrange's business program falls short of what most Missouri business graduates earn. The school sits at the 40th percentile statewide—meaning 6 in 10 Missouri business programs deliver better starting salaries. The gap to the state median ($42,524) may seem modest, but over a career it compounds significantly. More concerning is the national comparison: this program ranks in just the 23rd percentile, with graduates earning about $6,000 less annually than the typical business graduate nationwide.

The financial picture has one saving grace: relatively manageable debt at $22,549, which is actually below both state and national medians. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57, graduates face roughly seven months of their annual salary in student loans—reasonable by today's standards. However, lower debt doesn't offset substantially lower earning potential, especially when comparing to stronger in-state options. Columbia College graduates start at $53,748, while Park University delivers $53,201—both offering $13,000+ annual premiums over Hannibal-LaGrange for similar degree costs.

For families considering this program, the question is straightforward: are there compelling reasons to accept below-average business outcomes? The moderate debt load makes this less risky than some alternatives, but Missouri offers multiple business programs that combine reasonable costs with significantly stronger career launches. Unless location or specific institutional factors are decisive, those alternatives deserve serious attention.