Business Administration, Management and Operations at South University-Richmond

South University-Richmond's business program graduates carry more than double the typical debt load for this degree—$55,162 versus a $27,000 state median—while earning below both state and national averages. First-year earnings of $43,773 trail the Virginia median by nearly $2,000, placing graduates in the 40th percentile among the state's 43 business programs. With debt exceeding first-year earnings by 26%, graduates face a significantly tougher financial starting point than peers at other Virginia schools.

The earnings trajectory offers modest improvement—growing 11% to $48,439 by year four—but this still lags behind established state programs like James Madison ($65,931) and Virginia Tech ($60,678). The debt burden ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of comparable programs leave students with less debt. For a family considering Virginia options, programs at public universities or even mid-tier private schools typically deliver similar or better earnings outcomes with half the debt load.

The math here is straightforward: you're looking at roughly $28,000 more in debt than the typical Virginia business graduate for below-average earnings. Unless there are compelling personal circumstances—like transfer credits that significantly reduce the borrowing—this represents a difficult financial equation that will likely mean years of constrained financial flexibility after graduation.