Est. Earnings (1yr)
$53,219
Est. from national median (81 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$21,125
Est. from national median (58 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 suggests reasonable affordability here, though the figures require context: both the first-year salary and debt estimates come from national medians for similar programs, not Saint Cloud State's actual graduate outcomes. With only one Business/Managerial Economics bachelor's program in Minnesota, there's no in-state comparison to gauge whether this school over- or under-performs its peers.

The four-year earnings figure of $60,849 represents actual reported data and shows solid mid-career progression from the estimated starting point. That $7,600 jump suggests graduates gain traction in their fields, though without knowing the actual starting salary for Saint Cloud State specifically, it's unclear whether this growth trajectory matches, exceeds, or lags what comparable programs deliver. The estimated $21,125 debt load sits slightly below the national median of $22,250, which is encouraging if accurate.

The reality is you're making a decision with incomplete information. The 95% admission rate and modest SAT scores suggest Saint Cloud State serves a broad student population, which can be an advantage for students who need access over selectivity. But without this program's actual earnings data, you're betting that it performs roughly in line with the national average for managerial economics degreesβ€”a reasonable assumption, but still an assumption. If your child has strong business aptitude and reasonable alternatives, compare actual outcomes data from those schools before committing.

Where Saint Cloud State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/managerial economics bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Saint Cloud State Universityβ€”$60,849β€”
Villanova University$82,212$122,309+49%
Lehigh University$81,796$101,741+24%
Brigham Young University$75,227$97,349+29%
University of California-Los Angeles$83,604$92,873+11%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Business/Managerial Economics bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud$10,117$53,219*$60,849$21,125*β€”
Washington University in St LouisSt. Louis$62,982$106,701*β€”β€”*β€”
University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles$13,747$83,604*$92,873$17,332*0.21
Villanova UniversityVillanova$64,701$82,212*$122,309$27,000*0.33
Lehigh UniversityBethlehem$62,180$81,796*$101,741$23,240*0.28
Brigham Young UniversityProvo$6,496$75,227*$97,349β€”*β€”
National Medianβ€”$53,219*β€”$22,250*0.42
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/managerial economics graduates

Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Environmental Economists

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Management Analysts

Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

$101,190/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Economics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Survey Researchers

Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.

$63,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Saint Cloud State University, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 81 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.