Median Earnings (1yr)
$45,195
37th percentile
60th percentile in Alabama
Median Debt
$26,500
2% above national median

Analysis

Troy University's business program offers a solid middle-ground option within Alabama, ranking in the 60th percentile among the state's business programs with starting salaries of $45,195. While this trails the national median by about $2,300, it matches Alabama's state median exactly, suggesting the program delivers fairly typical outcomes for the region. The debt load of $26,500 is reasonable and actually slightly below the state average.

What makes this program particularly appealing is the combination of accessibility and steady career progression. With a 93% admission rate, Troy provides opportunities for students who might not gain entry to more selective programs, yet still delivers respectable earnings growth of 12% by the fourth year. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 means graduates can realistically manage their student loans on their starting salary.

For families prioritizing affordability and steady employment prospects over prestige, Troy's business program represents a pragmatic choice. While it won't place your child among the highest earners in Alabama business (programs like Strayer and South Alabama offer significantly higher starting salaries), it provides a reliable path to middle-class employment without excessive debt burden. The robust sample size gives confidence these outcomes are representative of what your child can expect.

Where Troy University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Troy University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Troy University$45,195$50,533+12%
New York University$77,828$115,546+48%
Huntingdon College$32,446$63,213+95%
Strayer University-Alabama$55,431$59,763+8%
University of South Alabama$50,515$43,455-14%

Compare to Similar Programs in Alabama

Business/Commerce bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Alabama (10 total in state)

Scroll to see more โ†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Troy UniversityTroy$9,792$45,195$50,533$26,5000.59
Strayer University-AlabamaBirmingham$13,920$55,431$59,763$56,5171.02
University of South AlabamaMobile$9,676$50,515$43,455$30,9800.61
Faulkner UniversityMontgomery$23,920$44,785โ€”$27,6600.62
Huntingdon CollegeMontgomery$28,650$32,446$63,213$27,0000.83
National Medianโ€”$47,506โ€”$26,0000.55

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Troy University, approximately 42% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.