Business/Managerial Economics at Mary Baldwin University

Mary Baldwin's Business/Managerial Economics program operates in a state where outcomes vary considerably—peer programs across Virginia's 10 schools range from the mid-$40Ks to over $50K in first-year earnings. Based on the national benchmark of $53,219 for similar bachelor's programs, this degree falls near the middle of what comparable programs typically produce. That's meaningfully above Virginia's state median of $48,728, though it's important to note these are estimates derived from peer institutions rather than actual graduate outcomes from Mary Baldwin specifically.

The estimated debt load of $24,000 produces a manageable 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates would owe roughly 45 cents for every dollar they earn in their first year. That's generally considered reasonable territory for a bachelor's degree. With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, the program serves a significant population for whom manageable debt matters considerably.

The challenge for your family is that without actual reported data, you're making this decision based on what similar programs achieve elsewhere. If your student is drawn to Mary Baldwin's specific strengths—small classes, personalized attention, or other institutional factors—the estimated financial picture doesn't wave red flags. But you're essentially betting that this program will perform like its peers nationally rather than lag toward the lower end of Virginia's range.