Business Administration, Management and Operations at Tuskegee University

Tuskegee's business program sits in an interesting middle ground—slightly above national averages but trailing the state's top performers by a significant margin. While first-year earnings of $46,123 edge out the national median, they fall over $10,000 short of what Auburn and Alabama grads typically see. However, the real story here is trajectory: that 37% earnings jump to nearly $63,000 by year four suggests graduates are gaining traction in their careers, possibly as they build professional networks and leverage Tuskegee's HBCU connections.

The debt picture is actually quite favorable. At $29,563, graduates owe slightly more than the national median but maintain a healthy 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning their first-year salary covers total debt nearly 1.6 times over. This puts the program in the 19th percentile nationally for debt, which is notably lower than most business schools. Within Alabama, this program ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, meaning it outperforms about half of the state's business programs despite its modest starting point.

For families weighing this against flagship state schools, understand the trade: you'll likely start $5,000-10,000 behind Auburn or Alabama grads, but you're not taking on crushing debt to get there. If your child values the HBCU experience and smaller class sizes at a selective school (31% admission rate), this represents a financially viable path—just not the highest-earning one in the state.