Business/Commerce at Rockhurst University

A debt load approaching $28,000 for a business degree that starts around $48,000—based on what similar Missouri programs report—lands squarely in "workable but not comfortable" territory. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 means your child would owe roughly seven months of their first-year salary, manageable under standard repayment terms but tight enough to constrain other financial decisions early in their career. By year four, when earnings reach $56,000, the picture improves considerably, though this assumes steady career progression in a competitive business field.

What makes this estimate harder to interpret is Rockhurst's profile: at 69% acceptance and 19% Pell recipients, it's drawing a relatively affluent student body, which often correlates with stronger alumni networks and career support that can boost outcomes beyond what raw earnings data suggests. However, peer programs in Missouri show you can find similar or better starting salaries at public universities like Mizzou ($56,000) with potentially lower debt loads. The question becomes whether Rockhurst's smaller environment and personalized attention justify the investment when the numbers alone don't show a clear advantage.

The practical takeaway: This program likely works if your family can minimize borrowing beyond the estimated $28,000, particularly if career services and networking are strong. But with limited actual data from Rockhurst itself, you'd want concrete evidence—placement rates, employer connections, internship pipelines—that this specific program delivers value matching or exceeding what the state's public options provide.