Business Administration, Management and Operations at Thomas College

Thomas College's business program starts graduates at $42,478—below both state and national medians—but the earnings trajectory tells a more optimistic story. That 38% jump to $58,478 by year four represents substantial growth that eventually exceeds Maine's median and comes close to the national 75th percentile. Among Maine's 13 business programs, this ranks just below the middle of the pack initially, but the growth rate suggests graduates gain valuable skills that employers increasingly reward.

The debt picture is reasonable at $23,707, actually lower than both state and national medians despite being in the 66th percentile nationally. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56, first-year graduates would need to allocate about half their annual salary to pay off loans in a year—manageable given the strong earnings progression. The program can't compete with Maine Maritime's specialized business offerings or University of New England's outcomes, but it outpaces half the state's options by year four.

For families considering this program, the key question is whether your student can weather that first year at below-average pay. If they can—and moderate debt helps here—the earnings growth suggests Thomas is developing graduates who become more valuable over time. This isn't the safest bet in Maine business education, but the four-year numbers show it's far from the worst investment either.