Business Administration, Management and Operations at Thomas More University

Thomas More's business graduates earn substantially more than peers across both Kentucky and the nation, placing in the 95th percentile in both contexts. Starting at $63,458, these graduates out-earn the state median by more than 50% and outpace the national median by nearly $18,000. Only Asbury University produces better-earning business graduates in Kentucky, and that's by a modest margin. This performance is particularly notable given the school's 97% acceptance rate—students don't need elite credentials to access these outcomes.

The tradeoff comes in debt levels, which run higher than typical at $38,363 versus a state median of $25,779. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 remains manageable—graduates earn enough in their first year to justify the borrowing. The concerning element is flat earnings growth: four years out, graduates are making virtually the same salary they started with, suggesting limited career progression or early ceiling effects in their roles.

For families weighing this program, the calculation is straightforward: you'll pay roughly $12,500 more in debt than the Kentucky average but gain access to starting salaries that are 50% higher than state peers. If your child can secure one of those higher-paying initial positions, the premium justifies itself quickly. The flat trajectory means maximizing that first job matters even more than usual.