Business/Commerce at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Southern Arkansas University's business program starts graduates at just $34,910—well below both the Arkansas median ($46,100) and national average ($47,506). Among Arkansas business programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile, trailing not only prestigious John Brown University but also the state's flagship and regional competitors. Nationally, it lands in the bottom 5th percentile of all business programs.

The program does show encouraging momentum, with earnings jumping 34% to $46,872 by year four. However, this recovery barely reaches the typical starting salary for business graduates elsewhere. Meanwhile, debt of $22,500 (though lower than state and national medians) still represents a 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates owe nearly eight months of their first-year salary. For context, University of Arkansas graduates start $14,000 higher with comparable debt.

If your child is considering this program, understand they'll likely spend their first few years catching up financially to peers from other Arkansas schools. The eventual earnings growth helps, but starting this far behind creates real opportunity costs. Unless there are compelling reasons to attend (significant scholarship, family circumstances), Arkansas offers several business programs that deliver stronger early career outcomes for similar or even lower debt.