Business/Managerial Economics at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Similar business economics programs in Tennessee suggest first-year earnings around $43,400—roughly $10,000 below what national graduates typically earn. That gap matters when you're evaluating whether this degree justifies even the estimated $21,000 in debt, which sits comfortably below both state and national medians but still requires deliberate repayment planning on an entry-level salary.

The Tennessee market for this credential appears fairly uniform, with UT-Knoxville graduates earning just $600 more according to actual reported data. This consistency suggests the estimate is reasonable, but it also means you're looking at a credential where location and school prestige matter less than you might expect. The real question becomes whether business economics specifically—as opposed to broader business programs—opens doors worth the investment when starting salaries cluster in the low-40s regardless of which Tennessee school your child attends.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 suggests manageable repayment, but these estimates come with meaningful uncertainty given the small graduate samples that triggered data suppression. Before committing, push UTC's career services for actual placement outcomes in your child's intended industry. A business economics degree can lead to corporate roles, financial analysis, or consulting—but those paths have vastly different earning trajectories that these aggregate numbers can't capture.