Business Administration, Management and Operations at St Bonaventure University

St. Bonaventure's business program sits squarely in the middle of New York's competitive landscape—not a standout performer, but not a red flag either. At $39,937 in first-year earnings, graduates start below both the state median ($42,268) and national average ($45,703), landing in the 40th percentile among New York business programs. The debt load of $25,000 matches the state median exactly, creating a manageable 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio that's actually better than many competitors.

The most encouraging sign here is the earnings trajectory: a 34% jump to $53,371 by year four suggests graduates are finding their footing and advancing professionally. That puts them ahead of the national median by year four, even if they start behind. For a school with an 82% admission rate that serves a meaningful number of Pell grant recipients, these outcomes represent solid access to middle-class professional careers.

The critical caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could shift these numbers significantly. If your child can attend without excessive borrowing and values St. Bonaventure's campus environment, the economics work—but they shouldn't expect the dramatically higher starting salaries that New York's top business programs deliver. This is a path to stable employment, not the fast track to corporate leadership.