Business Administration, Management and Operations at The College of Saint Scholastica

Saint Scholastica's business program places graduates significantly above the national median—74th percentile—but lands right at Minnesota's middle of the pack. That 40th percentile state ranking tells an important story for Minnesota families: while your graduate will earn more than most business majors nationwide ($52,270 versus $45,703), they'll trail behind peers at Minnesota's stronger business programs like the University of Minnesota system and even Concordia. For a program charging $25,497 in median debt at a school with 94% acceptance, you'd hope for a clearer advantage over state alternatives.

The debt picture is reasonable—roughly half of first-year earnings, which gives graduates breathing room—and earnings grow a solid 10% by year four. But consider that top Minnesota programs like Capella and UMN-Twin Cities place graduates earning $15,000+ more annually for similar debt loads. That gap compounds quickly: over a decade, it could mean $150,000 in forgone earnings.

Saint Scholastica works for students who need the supportive environment of a smaller Minnesota campus and can accept middle-tier outcomes. But families paying private college prices should recognize they're not getting premium placement results. If your student has the grades for more selective Minnesota programs, the earnings data suggests they're worth pursuing.