Business Administration, Management and Operations at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State's business administration graduates start below both state and national medians, earning $37,975 in their first year—roughly $8,000 less than the national benchmark and nearly $2,000 below Mississippi's typical business program. While the program ranks around the state's middle (40th percentile), that's a low bar given Mississippi business graduates trail the nation significantly. The top programs in the state, like Belhaven and Ole Miss, deliver first-year earnings 15-35% higher.

The upside here is genuine earnings momentum. Graduates see a 25% salary jump by year four, reaching $47,624—nearly catching up to national medians and surpassing the state average. This growth pattern suggests the degree opens doors that take time to walk through, whether through promotions or pivoting to better opportunities. The debt load of $24,700 is manageable at 0.65 times first-year earnings, slightly better than national norms for this program.

For Mississippi families, this represents a middle-of-the-road option that improves over time. If your child can access one of the stronger programs in state—particularly Belhaven or Ole Miss—they'd likely start with a $7,000-$14,000 earnings advantage that compounds over a career. But Mississippi State isn't leaving graduates stranded: the combination of reasonable debt and steady earnings growth makes it a workable choice, just not a standout one.