Business Administration, Management and Operations at La Sierra University

La Sierra University's business program operates far below California standards—graduates earn a median of $35,477 their first year, about 30% less than the state median for this degree. More troubling, earnings actually drop to $28,602 by year four, suggesting graduates struggle to gain traction in the job market. Among California's 98 business programs, this ranks only in the 25th percentile, and it sits in the bottom 5% nationally. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual outcomes could vary significantly, but the pattern is concerning.

The debt load of $28,333 initially appears manageable at 0.80 times first-year earnings, but that calculation becomes less reassuring when earnings decline instead of grow. Graduates are paying down business school debt on salaries well below what they likely expected—and below what many retail management positions offer in California's expensive inland markets like Riverside. With 47% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are taking on debt they can't easily absorb if career outcomes disappoint.

If your child is set on business school in California, you're looking at dozens of stronger options. Even considering the 93% admission rate makes this accessible, the earnings gap is too wide to ignore. The small sample means you should ask the school directly about typical career paths and recent employer connections before committing to this investment.