Business Administration, Management and Operations at Ouachita Baptist University

Based on similar business programs at private Arkansas colleges, graduates here face estimated debt of $27,311—above both the state and national median for this credential. That debt load becomes more concerning when paired with first-year earnings around $39,040, which tracks with the Arkansas median but falls $6,600 short of what business majors typically earn nationally. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 isn't alarming on its face, but it reflects a gap between what Ouachita charges and what Arkansas employers typically pay entry-level business graduates.

The comparison to other Arkansas programs tells a revealing story. The state's flagship and several private competitors produce business graduates earning $15,000 to $20,000 more in their first year—a substantial premium that makes higher debt loads at those schools more manageable. Whether that earning gap persists throughout careers isn't clear from this data, but starting $15,000 behind compounds over time when you're also servicing similar debt.

For parents, the practical question is whether Ouachita's particular environment—a smaller Christian college with strong retention—justifies paying private tuition for median state outcomes. The estimated figures suggest this program costs more than state alternatives without delivering the earning power of the university's top-tier private competitors. Unless Ouachita offers something your family specifically values beyond career earnings, comparable programs with actual data showing stronger results deserve serious consideration.