Business Administration, Management and Operations at Park University

Park University's associate-level business program reports earnings that seem almost too good to be true—and they might be. At $56,359, graduates earn 66% more than the national median and 73% more than the Missouri median for this degree. That places them in the 95th percentile both nationally and statewide, far exceeding even Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City's $38,554. The debt load of $14,700 is reasonable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.26.

However, the sample size here is critically small—fewer than 30 graduates. This means the data could easily reflect a handful of outlier cases rather than typical outcomes. Perhaps these students had extensive work experience, transferred in with prior credits, or secured unusually strong positions through specific connections. With 39% of Park University students receiving Pell grants, the institution does serve economically diverse students, but we simply can't confirm whether most business graduates achieve these earnings.

For anxious parents, here's the reality: if these numbers hold true, this program offers exceptional value. But with such limited data, you're making a decision with significant uncertainty. Before committing, ask the admissions office for placement details—where do graduates actually work, and what positions do they hold? If they can provide concrete examples that match these earnings figures, this could be a genuine opportunity. If they deflect or provide vague answers, treat these numbers as aspirational rather than typical.