Est. Earnings (1yr)
$53,219
Est. from national median (81 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$21,125
Est. from national median (58 programs)

Analysis

Business/Managerial Economics programs across Alabama show reasonable consistency, with The University of Alabama's graduates earning $55,550 in their first year. Jacksonville State's estimated outcomes track closely with both state and national patterns—peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $53,200, while the estimated debt of $21,125 sits below the national median of $22,250. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40, graduates from comparable programs typically recover their educational investment within reasonable timeframes.

The caveat here matters: these figures come from similar programs elsewhere, not Jacksonville State's actual graduates. That means you're making a decision based on what typically happens in Business/Managerial Economics programs nationally, not what specifically happens to JSU graduates in this major. The good news is that this field shows relatively stable outcomes across institutions—business economics is less prone to wild variation than some specialized fields.

For a family considering this program, the numbers suggest manageable risk if your child is genuinely interested in the analytical side of business. The estimated debt load represents less than half of first-year earnings from comparable programs, and Jacksonville State's 43% Pell grant population indicates they're accustomed to working with students who need financial aid. Just understand you're betting on national patterns holding true locally, not banking on proven outcomes from this specific campus.

Where Jacksonville State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/managerial economics bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Alabama

Business/Managerial Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Alabama (9 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville$12,426$53,219*—$21,125*—
The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa$11,900$55,550*$85,603$21,675*0.39
National Median—$53,219*—$22,250*0.42
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/managerial economics graduates

Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Environmental Economists

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Management Analysts

Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

$101,190/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Economics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Survey Researchers

Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.

$63,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Jacksonville State University, approximately 43% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 81 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.