Business Administration, Management and Operations at Mississippi Valley State University

Something unusual appears in the data here: first-year earnings estimated at $39,765 drop to $30,370 by year four. That's backwards from typical career progression and suggests that different graduate cohorts may have faced significantly different labor market conditions, or that the program's outcomes have shifted over time. Based on comparable business programs in Mississippi, the estimated debt load of $24,700 translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62—but only if graduates actually earn near that first-year estimate.

The uncertainty here matters more than usual. With 60% of students receiving Pell grants, most families at Mississippi Valley State are counting on this degree to deliver reliable employment outcomes. Similar programs across Mississippi typically produce first-year earnings around $39,765, roughly $6,000 below the national median for business bachelor's degrees. That gap isn't catastrophic, but it means graduates start their careers at a disadvantage compared to peers from programs in higher-cost-of-living states where business opportunities may be more abundant.

Given the data limitations and the downward earnings trend between years one and four, parents should request from the school itself: recent job placement rates, typical employers hiring their graduates, and what percentage of students find business-related work versus unrelated jobs. The estimated figures suggest this could work financially, but you need actual outcomes from this specific program to make a confident decision.