Est. Earnings (1yr)
$51,669
Est. from VA median (5 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from VA median (3 programs)

Analysis

Liberty's business program shows encouraging momentum when you look past the initial figures. While comparable Virginia business programs suggest first-year earnings around $51,700, this program's reported four-year earnings of $72,904 represent a substantial jump—about 41% growth in three years. That trajectory matters more than the starting point, especially when the estimated $27,000 debt load aligns almost exactly with the national median for business degrees.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 based on peer programs suggests graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about half a year of gross earnings—a manageable position by any standard. What makes this noteworthy is Liberty's 99% admission rate and the fact that 39% of students receive Pell grants, indicating the program serves students who might face barriers elsewhere while delivering outcomes that match or exceed typical Virginia business programs.

The limitation here is transparency: both the first-year earnings and debt figures come from comparable Virginia programs, not Liberty's actual graduate outcomes. The four-year earnings are reported data, giving you one concrete benchmark. For a student interested in business who values accessibility and can verify Liberty's career services and employer connections, the estimated debt burden appears reasonable given where graduates typically land by year four. Just recognize you're betting on a trajectory suggested by peer schools rather than proven outcomes from this specific program.

Where Liberty University Stands

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

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Liberty University$72,904
New York University$77,828$115,546+48%
Virginia Commonwealth University$51,669$60,623+17%
Strayer University-Virginia$55,431$59,763+8%
DeVry University-Virginia$57,020$56,664-1%

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

Business/Commerce bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (16 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Liberty UniversityLynchburg$21,222$51,669*$72,904$27,000*
DeVry University-VirginiaArlington$17,488$57,020*$56,664$47,236*0.83
Strayer University-VirginiaArlington$13,920$55,431*$59,763$56,517*1.02
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond$16,458$51,669*$60,623$23,750*0.46
Randolph-Macon CollegeAshland$48,002$51,366*$27,000*0.53
Randolph CollegeLynchburg$29,010$35,971*$25,000*0.70
National Median$47,506*$26,000*0.55
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor'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 Liberty University, approximately 39% 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 median of 5 similar programs in VA. Actual outcomes may vary.