Business Administration, Management and Operations at Miller-Motte College-Wilmington

With an estimated debt load of $42,829—nearly 60% higher than what other North Carolina business programs typically produce—this program's value proposition hinges entirely on graduate earnings that outpace the state median. The numbers suggest the opposite. While similar business programs in North Carolina report first-year earnings around $43,375, graduates here earn just $37,437 four years out, a figure that actually declines from estimated first-year pay. That backward trajectory is highly unusual for business degrees and raises serious questions about career progression.

The debt picture is particularly concerning given the school's student population—65% receive Pell grants, meaning many families have limited financial cushion if these earnings don't materialize. Carrying debt nearly equal to first-year income is manageable only when earnings grow consistently, not when they shrink. For context, the typical North Carolina business bachelor's produces about $27,000 in debt, making monthly payments far more sustainable even with similar starting salaries.

What you're looking at is a program where peer institutions in the same state—including schools like University of Mount Olive that serve similar student populations—report outcomes that are substantially better both in earnings and debt burden. Before committing to this estimated $43,000 debt load, you'd want to understand why this program's four-year earnings fall below the state's first-year baseline and whether graduates find the management roles that typically justify business degree costs.