Business Administration, Management and Operations at Missouri State University-Springfield

Missouri State's business program sits in the middle of the pack—40th percentile in Missouri and 28th percentile nationally—but shows something more promising than those rankings suggest. Graduates start at $41,000, which is admittedly below both the state and national medians, but within four years they're earning $52,610, matching the national 75th percentile. That 28% earnings jump indicates these graduates are developing marketable skills that employers value over time.

The debt picture is reasonable at $26,500, creating a 0.65 ratio to first-year earnings that shouldn't be crushing for most families. However, context matters: Missouri has several business programs where graduates start significantly higher. Ranken Technical College grads earn $73,000, and even mid-tier options like Columbia College and Park University start at $53,000+. If your child can gain admission to these alternatives, the immediate earning advantage would be substantial.

This program makes the most sense for students who need the accessibility of Missouri State's 91% admission rate and can be patient with their career trajectory. The strong four-year earnings suggest decent employer connections and career support, but families should understand they're choosing steady growth over immediate earning power. If your child needs to start paying down loans right away, look harder at those higher-performing Missouri alternatives.