Business, Management, Marketing, at Marshall University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 suggests Marshall's business program—based on what peer programs across the country typically produce—puts graduates in manageable financial territory. The estimated $24,621 in debt falls slightly below what business majors nationally carry at graduation, while first-year earnings track exactly with the national median of $50,740. That alignment matters: it means graduates would likely dedicate roughly half of one year's salary to repaying their investment, a threshold most financial advisors consider sustainable.

The challenge is that these figures come entirely from comparable programs elsewhere, not Marshall's actual outcomes. Business programs vary wildly in quality and employer connections, and Marshall's 96% admission rate and below-average SAT scores place it in a different tier than many peer institutions. Similar programs in other states might benefit from stronger regional economies or alumni networks that Marshall graduates won't necessarily access. West Virginia's job market, particularly for business roles, is more limited than states where many comparison programs operate.

For families confident in their child's ability to leverage Marshall's location and network effectively—perhaps with family business connections or plans to relocate after graduation—the estimated numbers suggest a reasonable path forward. But if you're banking on Marshall's outcomes mirroring the national average without clear evidence they do, you're making an assumption the data can't support. Consider whether your child has specific reasons to believe they'll match or exceed what comparable programs produce before committing.