Analysis
A Business/Managerial Economics bachelor's at Point Loma Nazarene comes with an estimated $24,000 in debt—about $6,000 above what comparable California programs typically produce. While this debt level sits at the national median for this major, it's meaningful when paired with first-year earnings that peer programs in California suggest hover around $54,000. That creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, manageable but not exceptional for a business degree. The real question is whether this specific program delivers value beyond what these broader estimates can capture.
The earnings figure places Point Loma in the middle of California's Business/Managerial Economics landscape, matching programs like Chapman and Westmont but trailing UCLA's $83,600 by a significant margin. For a school with an 82% admission rate and average SAT scores around 1280, these estimated outcomes appear reasonable—neither standout nor concerning. The 23% Pell enrollment suggests this isn't primarily serving the most economically vulnerable students, which somewhat eases the debt burden in context.
Without actual graduate outcomes for this specific program, you're betting on Point Loma's track record in similar fields and the broader California market for business economics graduates. If your child values the private Christian university environment and San Diego location, these estimates suggest the financial risk is moderate. But if maximizing early earnings matters most, understand that you're paying a debt premium without clear evidence this particular program outperforms its state peers.
Where Point Loma Nazarene University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all business/managerial economics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Business/Managerial Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (18 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $43,550 | $54,064* | — | $24,000* | — | |
| $13,747 | $83,604* | $92,873 | $17,332* | 0.21 | |
| $13,160 | $66,360* | $70,643 | $36,551* | 0.55 | |
| $15,247 | $54,546* | $78,081 | $13,000* | 0.24 | |
| $51,790 | $54,457* | $78,938 | $25,000* | 0.46 | |
| $62,784 | $54,064* | $75,777 | $22,977* | 0.42 | |
| National Median | — | $53,219* | — | $22,250* | 0.42 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with business/managerial economics graduates
Economists
Environmental Economists
Financial Risk Specialists
Management Analysts
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Survey Researchers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Point Loma Nazarene University, approximately 23% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.