Business Administration, Management and Operations at Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts

Business administration programs in Missouri show enormous variation—from $73,200 at top-performing Ranken Technical College down to the state median of $42,525. Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts appears to track right at that median based on comparable programs, but with estimated debt nearly double Missouri's typical $26,000 for this degree. That's a crucial difference for a school serving 76% Pell Grant recipients, students who often have limited financial cushion.

When debt matches your first-year salary dollar-for-dollar, as the estimates suggest here, you're looking at a tight squeeze financially. The typical business graduate can pay down loans more comfortably when debt sits closer to half their earnings. With similar programs nationally earning around $45,700, Stevens' students may be paying more while earning less than peers elsewhere. The school's 71% admission rate suggests accessibility, but accessibility paired with higher debt loads can trap rather than liberate students if earnings don't materialize.

Before committing, identify schools where Stevens' graduates actually land jobs and compare those opportunities to what's available from Missouri's stronger-performing business programs. The gap between Stevens' estimated outcomes and the state's top five programs—some earning $20,000-$30,000 more annually—represents real money that accelerates loan payoff and builds wealth. Without concrete data showing this specific program beats the state average, that $43,000 debt burden looks risky.