Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Tennessee graduates start around $59,500—slightly below the national median for this program but right at the Tennessee average. The debt load of $25,000 is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 that suggests monthly payments around 4-5% of gross income. What makes this program interesting is that while it sits in the middle of the pack nationally (44th percentile), it ranks in the 60th percentile among Tennessee programs, making it a solid in-state option.

The 17% earnings growth to nearly $70,000 by year four indicates graduates are advancing in their careers, though they're not quite reaching the national 75th percentile of $71,600. For a program at a flagship state university with a 46% admission rate, these outcomes align with expectations—this isn't a program that will dramatically outperform its peer group, but it won't underperform either.

For Tennessee families, this represents a reasonable investment: below-average debt paired with middle-of-the-road starting salaries that grow steadily. Out-of-state students should be more cautious, as paying additional tuition to attend a program that performs in the 44th percentile nationally doesn't make strong financial sense. If your child is a Tennessee resident interested in quantitative business roles, this program delivers adequate preparation without excessive debt burden.