Business Administration, Management and Operations at Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University's business program carries nearly $40,000 in debt—substantially higher than the $26,000 median for both Missouri and national business programs. While starting salaries of $48,000 exceed state and national benchmarks, that advantage doesn't offset the extra $13,500 in borrowing. Among Missouri's 42 business programs, SLU lands squarely at the 60th percentile for earnings, meaning students here earn more than typical in-state programs but far less than top performers like Ranken Technical College ($73,200) or Columbia College ($53,748).

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82 is manageable, and the 40% earnings growth to nearly $68,000 by year four suggests solid career trajectory. However, families should note the small sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates in this dataset—which makes these numbers less reliable than programs with larger cohorts. The relatively high admission rate (81%) and low Pell grant recipients (15%) suggest SLU attracts primarily middle-to-upper income students who may have family resources to supplement these outcomes.

For Missouri families, this program delivers modestly above-average results at above-average cost. If your child has strong merit aid or family support to reduce that debt load, the trajectory looks reasonable. Without significant aid, though, several Missouri alternatives offer better value or stronger starting positions.