Business Administration, Management and Operations at St. Francis College

St. Francis College's business program starts dramatically behind—its first-year median of $28,763 ranks in just the 10th percentile among New York business programs—but demonstrates remarkable recovery, jumping 113% to $61,304 by year four. That later figure exceeds both the state median ($42,268) and national median ($45,703), suggesting the program's value reveals itself only with patience and career development.

The debt load of $25,680 is nearly identical to state and national norms, making the initial earnings gap particularly concerning. Graduates face a difficult first year or two where their debt burden sits just below their annual salary. Given that 47% of students receive Pell grants, many families here may not have financial cushions to support their children through that rough initial period. The question becomes whether they can weather those lean early years—potentially in entry-level retail or administrative roles—to reach the more competitive mid-career earnings.

This is a program that rewards persistence but demands significant short-term sacrifice. If your child has family support to cover living expenses while building their career, the eventual trajectory looks reasonable. Without that safety net, the tough starting point could force career compromises that undermine the later growth potential. The moderate sample size adds some uncertainty, but the pattern is clear: expect a challenging launch before reaching solid middle-class earnings.