Business Administration, Management and Operations at Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud State's business program operates at two speeds: it beats the national median by about $2,000 annually, but lags Minnesota's state median by $5,000—landing in just the 40th percentile among Minnesota business programs. This matters because most students will be competing for jobs in a Minnesota market where other in-state programs consistently produce higher earners. The top performers in the state, including University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and several private universities, see graduates earning $60,000-$69,000, creating a meaningful income gap from day one.

The financial structure offers one advantage: at $22,562, graduates carry about $3,500 less debt than typical Minnesota business majors, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 that's manageable but not exceptional. Earnings do grow 14% over four years to $54,327, though this still trails what many other Minnesota programs deliver in year one. For families prioritizing Minnesota employment, this raises a practical question about opportunity cost—the lower upfront cost comes with persistently lower earning potential.

If your child has admission options at University of Minnesota or the stronger private programs in the state, those appear worth exploring for the earnings premium. Saint Cloud State works as a fallback that won't bury graduates in debt, but the 40th percentile state ranking suggests it's not the strongest springboard for business careers in Minnesota's competitive job market.