Business Administration, Management and Operations at Lee University

Lee University's business program starts graduates at just over $40,000—well below the national median and even trailing the Tennessee average—but the 33% earnings jump to $53,000 by year four tells a more encouraging story. While graduates rank only in the 24th percentile nationally, they land squarely at the middle of Tennessee's business programs (40th percentile), suggesting this program performs reasonably within its regional market even if it can't compete with flagship offerings like UT-Knoxville.

The $25,000 debt load is slightly lower than both state and national medians, creating a manageable 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates can realistically handle these payments on their starting salary, and as earnings accelerate into the mid-$50,000s, the financial picture improves considerably. The key question is whether that four-year trajectory continues upward or plateaus—business careers often depend heavily on individual initiative and networking beyond the degree itself.

For families considering Lee, this looks like a solid mid-tier option within Tennessee, particularly for students who value the university's faith-based environment. The degree won't command premium starting salaries, but it provides a workable foundation without crushing debt. Just understand that reaching the earnings levels of Tennessee's top business programs (which start graduates near $60,000) will require extra hustle beyond graduation.