Business Administration, Management and Operations at South University-Virginia Beach

South University-Virginia Beach graduates start around $44,000—below both the Virginia median ($45,557) and national average ($45,703) for business programs. More concerning is the debt load: at $55,162, it's roughly double what typical business grads carry nationally ($26,000) and in Virginia ($27,000). This puts the program in the 5th percentile for debt burden, meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle students with less debt. While earnings do climb 11% to $48,439 by year four, that growth barely keeps pace with inflation and doesn't fundamentally change the financial picture for graduates carrying debt exceeding their first-year salary.

The comparison to Virginia's top business programs is stark—William & Mary and JMU graduates earn 50% more starting out—but even mid-tier state options would likely offer better value. With half the student body receiving Pell grants, many families here are making significant sacrifices for a credential that delivers below-average outcomes. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.26 means graduates face manageable but elevated monthly payments relative to their take-home pay, potentially limiting early-career flexibility.

For families weighing this program against public alternatives like George Mason or Virginia Commonwealth, the math favors schools with lower debt loads and higher starting salaries. The robust sample size confirms these numbers reflect consistent outcomes, not outliers.