Business Administration, Management and Operations at Pacific States University

A $25,000 debt load for a business degree—based on what similar California programs typically produce—hits close to the national median but runs about $4,000 above what most CA business bachelor's programs report. The estimated first-year earnings of $49,543 track exactly with the state median and sit above the $45,703 national benchmark, suggesting a debt-to-earnings ratio near 0.50 that falls within reasonable bounds for a business degree.

What Pacific States University can't show you is its own track record. The graduate sample is too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes, so these estimates draw from peer programs across California. That means you're investing based on what works elsewhere, not proven results from this specific institution. In a state where top business programs like UC Berkeley ($90,008) and Cal Poly SLO ($71,876) demonstrate significantly stronger earning potential, the gap raises questions about whether this program provides comparable career access and employer recognition.

The financials suggest manageability—earning roughly twice your debt in year one is workable—but you're making that bet without evidence that Pacific States University's graduates achieve similar results. If this school offers something distinctive like flexible scheduling or specialized industry connections, verify those advantages against concrete placement data before committing.