Business Administration, Management and Operations at Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart's business program graduates start modestly at $42,000 but reach $60,000 by year four—impressive 43% growth that suggests strong alumni networks or credential value kicking in post-graduation. That trajectory sounds promising until you look at Connecticut's competitive landscape: the program ranks in just the 25th percentile statewide, trailing the state median by nearly $6,000 at graduation. With 22 business programs in Connecticut, several public options (including UConn) and even smaller schools like Albertus Magnus deliver significantly stronger first-year outcomes.

The $25,000 debt load is reasonable and matches the state average, creating a manageable first-year ratio of 0.59. But here's the problem for Connecticut families paying private school tuition: you're essentially betting on that later-career earnings growth to justify the investment. By year four, graduates do reach respectable earnings, but they're still playing catch-up to peers who started stronger elsewhere.

For families committed to Sacred Heart specifically—perhaps for campus culture or location—this program won't derail your child's career. The robust sample size confirms these patterns are real, not statistical noise. But if you're comparing Connecticut business programs purely on financial returns, stronger options exist at both public universities and competing private schools that deliver better starting salaries without requiring the same faith in long-term growth.