Business Administration, Management and Operations at Saint Augustine's University

Saint Augustine's business program faces a challenging reality: graduates carry $34,500 in debt—$8,000 more than the typical North Carolina business degree—while earnings remain flat around $43,000 in both year one and year four. With more than half of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are taking on significant loans for outcomes that fall well short of what's available at comparable North Carolina institutions.

The lack of earnings growth between years one and four is particularly concerning. Similar business programs in North Carolina suggest first-year earnings around $43,000, but stronger programs like NC State ($57,000) or even University of Mount Olive ($49,000) demonstrate that North Carolina business graduates can earn substantially more. Meanwhile, Saint Augustine's graduates are earning roughly the same four years into their careers as they did initially, suggesting limited career advancement or progression into management roles that business degrees typically unlock.

The debt burden makes this especially difficult to justify. At 80% of first-year earnings, the typical graduate owes nearly a full year's salary—a heavier load than 93% of business programs nationally. For families already stretching financially (as the high Pell percentage suggests), compare this carefully against North Carolina's public universities, where business graduates launch with both higher earnings and lower debt. This program serves an important mission, but the financial math requires honest consideration of alternatives.