Business Administration, Management and Operations at Roanoke College

Roanoke College's business program sits right in the middle of the pack—literally. With first-year earnings of $45,557, graduates land almost exactly at the national median, though they do slightly better within Virginia, ranking in the 60th percentile among the state's 43 business programs. The debt load of $26,429 is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, which means graduates owe roughly seven months of income. That's a reasonable starting point for a business degree, and the 19% earnings growth to $53,973 by year four suggests steady career progression.

The challenge is the ceiling. Even with solid growth, four-year earnings remain well below Virginia's strongest business programs—JMU graduates earn $65,931, while Virginia Tech alumni reach $60,678. For a private liberal arts college, Roanoke's outcomes reflect its broader admission profile (80% acceptance rate, modest test scores) rather than delivering a premium on investment. If your child is drawn to a small-college experience and values close faculty relationships, Roanoke offers stability without financial disaster. But if maximizing earning potential is the priority, particularly for an in-state family, the state's public universities deliver significantly stronger returns at lower cost. This is a safe bet, not a standout one.