Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods at University of Kansas

University of Kansas delivers exactly what you'd expect from a solid management sciences program—nothing spectacular, but nothing alarming either. First-year earnings of $63,000 slightly edge out the national median, and the program ranks in the 60th percentile among Kansas options. More importantly, graduates carry just $25,000 in debt, putting them in the 28th percentile nationally—meaning they graduate with less debt than roughly three-quarters of comparable programs. That 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio translates to manageable monthly payments, roughly 10% of take-home pay on a standard repayment plan.

The real story here is stability rather than upside. This isn't a program that will catapult your child into six-figure consulting roles right out of college, but it provides a practical foundation in quantitative business skills without the crushing debt that often accompanies business degrees. With KU's 88% admission rate, it's accessible for most students, and the moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests consistent program outcomes rather than outlier results.

For an in-state student, this represents straightforward value: reasonable earnings that cover debt comfortably, and entry into analytical roles that typically offer steady advancement. It's the kind of program where success depends more on what your child does with the degree than on the prestige of the credential itself.