Business Administration, Management and Operations at Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University's business program delivers results that beat both national and Oregon benchmarks while keeping debt manageable. With first-year graduates earning $48,074—above the state median of $47,555 and well above the national median of $45,703—students are landing in the 60th percentile among Oregon business programs. The $27,000 median debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.56, meaning graduates can realistically pay off their loans while building careers.

The 21% earnings growth to nearly $58,000 by year four shows graduates are advancing, though they're still trailing top Oregon programs like George Fox ($63,331) and Portland State ($51,358). Still, for families paying in-state tuition at a regional university, this program offers solid returns without the premium price tag of private competitors. The robust sample size (100+ graduates tracked) adds confidence these numbers reflect actual student outcomes rather than statistical noise.

For parents weighing cost versus earning potential, SOU's business program represents a practical middle ground. Your child won't command the highest starting salaries in Oregon, but they'll graduate with below-average debt and earnings that comfortably exceed what most business majors earn nationwide. That's a reasonable value proposition for students planning to stay in Oregon or the Pacific Northwest.