Business Administration, Management and Operations at McNeese State University

McNeese State University's business management program sits in an interesting position: it beats 60% of Louisiana business programs for earnings while costing less than most of them. At $44,262 in first-year earnings and $25,466 in debt, graduates start with a manageable 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio—below both national and state averages for debt load. For Louisiana families considering in-state options, this represents solid value, particularly since the program outperforms the state median by nearly $6,000.

The challenge surfaces in year four, when median earnings slip to $41,879—a 5% decline from the starting point. This pattern isn't necessarily dire for business grads, who often change positions or industries early in their careers, but it does mean the typical graduate here isn't seeing the steady climb that parents hope for in the years immediately after college. The program lands around the national median for both earnings and debt, making it neither exceptional nor problematic compared to business programs nationwide.

For Louisiana families, the calculation comes down to alternatives: you're paying $35,000 less in debt than Tulane graduates (who do earn significantly more), but you're also starting $2,000 ahead of Louisiana Tech grads at comparable debt levels. If your child is staying in Louisiana and needs to keep borrowing reasonable, McNeese delivers middle-of-the-pack outcomes at a middle-of-the-pack price—a fair trade for a business degree from a regional state university.