Business Administration, Management and Operations at Lane College
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
The numbers here are stark: Lane College's business graduates earn $22,093 in their first year—less than half the Tennessee median for this program and barely more than working minimum wage full-time. With nearly $36,000 in student debt, graduates face a debt burden 1.6 times their annual income, making this one of the worst debt-to-earnings ratios you'll find among Tennessee business programs. This ranks in the bottom 10th percentile statewide, meaning 90% of Tennessee business programs deliver better outcomes.
Context matters here. Lane serves a predominantly low-income student body (79% receive Pell grants), and these graduates are entering the workforce with less debt than many private schools charge. But even accounting for the institution's mission, the earnings gap is severe—top Tennessee programs like UT-Knoxville produce business graduates earning nearly triple what Lane graduates make initially. At these income levels, managing $36,000 in debt will consume a significant portion of take-home pay for years.
For families considering this program, understand that you're looking at entry-level retail or administrative assistant wages, not typical business graduate outcomes. Unless your child has specific circumstances making Lane the only viable option, Tennessee offers dozens of business programs with dramatically better financial returns at comparable or lower debt levels.
Where Lane College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all business administration, management and operations bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Lane College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Lane College graduates earn $22k, placing them in the 5th percentile of all business administration, management and operations bachelors programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee
Business Administration, Management and Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (38 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lane College | $22,093 | — | $35,892 | 1.62 |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $59,147 | $68,864 | $20,500 | 0.35 |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University | $58,859 | $51,442 | $29,750 | 0.51 |
| Rhodes College | $58,550 | $72,782 | $22,240 | 0.38 |
| Union University | $58,201 | $36,947 | $33,333 | 0.57 |
| Bryan College-Dayton | $52,528 | — | $27,000 | 0.51 |
| National Median | $45,703 | — | $26,000 | 0.57 |
Other Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs in Tennessee
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Tennessee schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville | $13,484 | $59,147 | $20,500 |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University Athens | $29,264 | $58,859 | $29,750 |
| Rhodes College Memphis | $54,892 | $58,550 | $22,240 |
| Union University Jackson | $38,450 | $58,201 | $33,333 |
| Bryan College-Dayton Dayton | $18,900 | $52,528 | $27,000 |
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 Lane College, approximately 79% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 36 graduates with reported earnings and 46 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.