Business Administration, Management and Operations at Keene State College

Keene State's business program sits in an awkward middle position within New Hampshire. While it edges slightly above the national median for business programs at $47,847 starting salary, it falls below the state median of $48,700—landing in just the 40th percentile among New Hampshire schools. That gap matters because students typically choose between in-state options, and here they'd graduate earning $10,000-$12,000 less annually than peers from UNH or Southern New Hampshire University, both accessible public alternatives.

The $26,000 debt load is reasonable and matches both national and state benchmarks, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54. Graduates can expect steady progress, with earnings climbing to $53,146 by year four—an 11% increase that suggests decent career momentum. However, even with that growth, Keene State graduates still trail their in-state counterparts by a meaningful margin.

For families prioritizing the small-college experience at Keene State, the business program won't saddle students with excessive debt. But if maximizing early career earnings is the goal, and your child can gain admission to UNH or handle the online format at SNHU, those programs deliver notably stronger financial returns without significantly higher debt. The program works fine; it just doesn't stand out in a competitive New Hampshire market.