Business Administration, Management and Operations at Lipscomb University

Lipscomb's business program generates earnings nearly $13,000 above the Tennessee median—a meaningful advantage in a state where most business graduates start around $43,000. At $51,379 in first-year earnings, graduates outperform 60% of similar programs statewide, though they trail the state's top performers by $7,000-$8,000. The debt load of $27,250 sits slightly above state norms but remains manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53, meaning graduates earn roughly twice what they owe.

The caveat here is sample size: with fewer than 30 graduates in this dataset, these numbers could shift significantly year to year. That said, Lipscomb's general positioning as a private institution with decent selectivity (SAT scores around 1250) suggests consistent access to Nashville's growing business community, which likely supports these above-average starting salaries.

For an anxious parent, this represents a relatively safe bet if your child is serious about business. The debt is reasonable, the earnings advantage over typical Tennessee programs is substantial, and Nashville's job market provides real opportunity. Just understand you're paying a modest premium over state schools without reaching the earnings ceiling that Tennessee's elite programs deliver.