Business Administration, Management and Operations at Mayville State University

Mayville State's business program lands in the middle of the pack nationally but trails most North Dakota options—including the state median by nearly $7,500 in first-year earnings. Within the state's 14 business programs, this ranks at the 40th percentile, meaning 60% of North Dakota business graduates earn more right out of school. That gap matters when regional employers are comparing candidates from University of North Dakota, Dickinson State, or University of Mary, all of which show stronger initial earnings.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $26,680, it's essentially in line with both state and national norms, creating a manageable 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates do see 16% earnings growth over four years, reaching nearly $52,000, which suggests the degree opens doors to advancement. However, even at year four, earnings still lag behind what competitors' graduates earn in year one.

For families considering Mayville State, the question becomes whether location or campus fit justify accepting below-average earnings within North Dakota. If your student can access programs at Bismarck State or University of Mary—which deliver substantially higher returns—the financial case for Mayville weakens considerably. The debt is reasonable, but when peer institutions in the same state offer 20-30% higher starting salaries, this becomes a pay-now-or-pay-later calculation worth examining closely.