Business Administration, Management and Operations at Mississippi University for Women

Mississippi University for Women's business program produces graduates earning just $35,310 in their first year—landing in the 5th percentile nationally and $10,000 below the state median. This is particularly striking given that Mississippi already lags behind national benchmarks for business degrees. Even among the state's 16 business programs, this ranks only at the 40th percentile, with competitors like Belhaven ($51,546) and Ole Miss ($44,971) delivering substantially higher returns. The modest 7% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates struggle to advance beyond entry-level positions.

The debt burden of nearly $25,000 isn't catastrophic—it's close to the state median—but paired with such low earnings, it creates a challenging financial picture. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70, graduates face repayment obligations that will likely strain their budgets for years. The school's 100% admission rate and below-average test scores hint at an institution serving students who may have limited options, but that context doesn't change the fundamental economics.

If your child is set on MUW for personal reasons—perhaps staying close to home in Columbus—understand they'll likely start their career at a significant earnings disadvantage compared to peers at Mississippi's flagship universities. For families with flexibility, the state's stronger business programs offer markedly better outcomes without necessarily requiring more debt.