Business Administration, Management and Operations at Missouri Western State University

Missouri Western State's business administration program delivers earnings that essentially flatline after graduation, with graduates making $41,902 in their first year and slightly less four years later. While that's roughly on par with Missouri's median for business programs, it lands in just the 32nd percentile nationally—meaning nearly 70% of similar programs produce better outcomes. The comparison to Missouri's top performers is stark: Ranken Technical College grads earn 75% more, and even mid-tier options like Columbia College and Park University deliver 30% higher salaries.

The $25,497 debt load is manageable relative to first-year earnings, with a 0.61 ratio that won't create immediate financial stress. However, the lack of earnings growth is the real concern here. Most business degrees serve as launching pads for career advancement, but this program's graduates aren't seeing that trajectory materialize in their first few years. For a family paying out-of-state tuition, this would be difficult to justify when Missouri alone offers multiple stronger alternatives.

If your child is committed to staying in the Saint Joseph area for personal reasons, this program won't saddle them with crushing debt. But if career advancement and earning potential are priorities, the data suggests looking at Missouri's higher-performing business programs—or questioning whether a business degree is the right path at all compared to more specialized technical credentials.