Business Administration, Management and Operations at Notre Dame de Namur University

Business administration graduates from Notre Dame de Namur face a significant debt burden relative to what similar programs in California typically deliver in first-year earnings. While first-year figures are estimated from comparable California programs at roughly $49,500, the $25,493 in debt sits above the state median of $21,000 for business degrees. This means graduates likely start with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51—manageable in theory, but concerning when paired with the suppressed data that suggests small graduating cohorts and potential program instability.

The jump to $80,840 by year four offers some reassurance that earnings accelerate meaningfully, putting later-career outcomes well above both national and state medians. However, this longer-term picture doesn't erase the reality that graduates are borrowing more than peers at state schools while starting from roughly the same earnings baseline. When California Polytechnic grads earn $71,876 in their first year at lower debt levels, or even UC Berkeley grads start at $90,000, the value proposition here becomes harder to justify on pure financial terms.

If your child is committed to this program specifically—perhaps for location, class size, or institutional fit—the four-year earnings suggest recovery is possible. But understand you're paying a premium in debt for outcomes that, based on peer programs, don't appear to justify the extra cost in early career years. Consider whether a CSU or UC business program might deliver better return on investment.