Business Administration, Management and Operations at Miles College

A $31,000 debt load for a business degree that yields around $40,000 in first-year earnings tells one story on paper, but the four-year data introduces a troubling wrinkle. Based on comparable Alabama business programs, Miles graduates can expect roughly $40,700 their first year out—right at the state median and only about $5,000 below the national benchmark. With 76% of students on Pell grants, that initial income represents meaningful economic mobility. But the actual four-year earnings figure of $39,687 suggests salary growth isn't materializing as it should in those early career years.

This stagnation matters because business graduates typically see steady advancement through their twenties. When earnings stay flat (or even dip slightly) between years one and four, it raises questions about the types of roles graduates are landing or the regional job market's limitations. Compare this to top Alabama programs where graduates start at $50,000-plus and likely see stronger trajectory gains. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 is manageable in theory—lower than many liberal arts degrees—but only if that income starts climbing.

For parents considering this investment, the key question is whether their child can beat these peer-program averages through networking, internships, or willingness to relocate. The estimates suggest a path to financial stability, not prosperity, and without clear evidence of upward momentum in those crucial early years.