Business/Commerce at Regent University

A $27,000 debt load against first-year earnings around $51,700—based on what other Virginia business programs report—creates a manageable starting point, with graduates needing roughly half their first year's salary to cover educational borrowing. This debt-to-earnings ratio sits in a reasonable range for a bachelor's degree, though parents should understand these figures come from peer institutions rather than Regent's actual graduate outcomes.

The estimated earnings align precisely with Virginia's median for business bachelor's programs and exceed the national benchmark by about $4,000. What's less clear is where Regent specifically falls within Virginia's range—the state's business programs span from $36,000 to $57,000 in first-year earnings, and without Regent's actual data, it's uncertain whether graduates trend toward the middle or edges of that spectrum. The university's 48% Pell grant rate suggests it serves a significant population of students who need the degree to genuinely improve their economic trajectory.

The practical reality: comparable programs in Virginia produce business graduates who can typically handle their debt with two years of focused repayment, assuming standard budgeting. But parents investing in Regent should recognize they're making a decision with limited visibility into this specific program's track record. The estimates suggest reasonable value, but you're essentially betting that Regent's outcomes mirror those of similar Virginia schools—a bet that may prove sound given the program's location in a growing business hub, but one made without the usual evidence.