Business Administration, Management and Operations at Roberts Wesleyan University

New York's business administration programs produce a wide range of outcomes, with peer institutions reporting first-year earnings from roughly $42,000 to over $100,000. Roberts Wesleyan appears to land near the bottom of this spectrum—comparable programs across the state suggest around $42,000 in first-year earnings against an estimated $26,000 in debt. That 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming on its face, but it positions graduates at the lower end of what business degree holders typically earn in New York, where the median for this major sits at the same level.

The gap between Roberts Wesleyan's likely outcomes and top-performing programs in the state is substantial. Syracuse, Clarkson, and others place their business graduates at starting salaries 50-150% higher. While those schools may serve different student populations, the difference matters when your child is taking on similar debt levels. The question becomes whether Roberts Wesleyan offers something—smaller classes, specific industry connections in Rochester, or a values-aligned environment—that justifies starting at roughly half the earning potential of peer programs just a few hours away. For families where that $26,000 in debt represents a meaningful financial commitment, understanding what drives such wide variation in business degree outcomes should be the first priority before committing.