Median Earnings (1yr)
$57,154
89th percentile
60th percentile in California
Median Debt
$25,000
4% below national median

Analysis

University of La Verne's business program punches well above its weight nationally, landing in the 89th percentile for graduate earnings despite a modest 1116 average SAT score. Starting salaries of $57,154 significantly outpace both the national median ($45,703) and California median ($49,543) for business programs. With $25,000 in typical debt, graduates face a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44β€”meaning they could theoretically pay off their loans in less than six months of gross earnings.

The California context tells a more nuanced story. While La Verne performs solidly at the 60th percentile within the state, it sits well below elite programs like UC Berkeley ($90,008) and USC ($71,668). However, this gap may reflect La Verne's accessibilityβ€”nearly half of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the program serves many first-generation college students who achieve strong financial outcomes. The 14% earnings growth over four years indicates graduates build valuable career momentum.

For families seeking reliable business career preparation without the cutthroat competition of top-tier schools, La Verne delivers solid value. The combination of above-average starting salaries, reasonable debt levels, and steady earnings growth makes this a practical choice for students who want strong job prospects without the stress and expense of more selective programs.

Where University of La Verne Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business administration, management and operations bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How University of La Verne graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of La Verne$57,154$64,888+14%
University of California-Berkeley$90,008$123,780+38%
University of San Francisco$50,729$91,169+80%
University of Southern California$71,668$87,767+22%
Golden Gate University$77,752$87,027+12%

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Business Administration, Management and Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (98 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of La VerneLa Verne$47,000$57,154$64,888$25,0000.44
University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley$14,850$90,008$123,780$12,1950.14
Golden Gate UniversitySan Francisco$31,243$77,752$87,027$33,9680.44
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo$11,075$71,876$85,332$17,0000.24
University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles$68,237$71,668$87,767$17,3750.24
Pepperdine UniversityMalibu$66,742$69,751$82,688$28,0000.40
National Medianβ€”$45,703β€”$26,0000.57

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business administration, management and operations graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

$140,360/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Human Resources Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

$140,030/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

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
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 University of La Verne, approximately 48% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 403 graduates with reported earnings and 451 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.