Business Administration, Management and Operations at San Diego Christian College

A bachelor's in business administration costing an estimated $25,000 typically prepares graduates for first-year earnings closer to $45,700 nationally, yet this program produces just $38,213—placing it in the bottom quarter of California's business programs. Similar programs in the state carry less debt (around $21,000) while delivering substantially higher returns, with the California median hitting nearly $50,000. That $11,000 earnings gap matters when you're facing loan payments.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 sits in manageable territory based on comparable programs, but the underlying issue is that both the numerator and denominator work against you here. You're borrowing slightly more than peer programs while earning significantly less, creating a financial picture that looks worse than most business degree paths in California. When top programs like Cal Poly SLO place graduates near $72,000, the nearly $34,000 difference suggests this particular credential may not open the same doors.

For parents weighing this investment, the critical question is whether the school's mission or campus environment justifies accepting substantially below-market earnings outcomes. The estimated debt isn't catastrophic, but when peer institutions deliver better financial returns with lower borrowing, you need compelling non-financial reasons to choose this path.