Business Administration, Management and Operations at St Catherine University

St. Catherine University's business program costs substantially more than what most students will recover in debt, despite strong initial earnings. While first-year graduates earn $54,419—well above the national median of $45,703 and ranking in the 81st percentile nationally—they're carrying $35,410 in debt. That's 36% more than both the national and Minnesota median debt for this degree, putting St. Catherine in the bottom 5% for affordability among business programs nationwide.

The value proposition weakens further over time. By year four, earnings actually decline to $50,829, while comparable programs like Concordia University-Saint Paul ($59,044) and the University of Minnesota system maintain stronger earning trajectories. Within Minnesota, St. Catherine sits at the 60th percentile—decent, but not exceptional given the premium price tag. For a school with a 94% admission rate, the debt burden feels disproportionate to the outcomes.

The math here is straightforward: your child would graduate owing more than half their first year's salary from a program that doesn't lead to rising earnings. Unless St. Catherine offers specific networking advantages or career support that justifies the extra cost, Minnesota families have stronger options. The Twin Cities campus of University of Minnesota delivers 21% higher earnings at comparable debt levels, while Concordia provides better earnings with likely similar cultural values at this Catholic institution.