Business Administration, Management and Operations at Newberry College

At first glance, Newberry's business program appears mediocre—starting salaries of $36,773 land it in just the 14th percentile nationally. But the story changes dramatically by year four, when median earnings jump to $48,039, a 31% increase that puts graduates nearly on par with the state median. Among South Carolina's 34 business programs, Newberry sits right at the 40th percentile, which is respectable considering the low starting point. The $26,000 debt load is precisely average for both the program and the state, creating a manageable 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio.

This pattern suggests Newberry graduates start in entry-level positions but advance reasonably well, closing much of the gap with peers from higher-ranked programs. While they'll never catch Charleston Southern's $65K earners, they're reaching the same territory as graduates from Anderson and Furman by year four—at presumably lower tuition costs given Newberry's 75% admission rate and high Pell enrollment. The moderate sample size gives reasonable confidence in these numbers.

The value here depends entirely on price. If Newberry costs substantially less than South Carolina's flagship programs, the later-career convergence makes the slower start worthwhile. But families paying near the state average should recognize they're getting solidly middle-of-the-pack outcomes, with graduates needing patience as their careers gain traction.