Business Administration, Management and Operations at University of Mary Washington

University of Mary Washington's business program offers a reassuring combination of manageable debt and steady earnings growth that outpaces both national and state benchmarks. Graduates start at $47,315—already ahead of Virginia's median of $45,557—and see their earnings jump 32% to over $62,000 within four years. The $22,250 in typical debt is notably lower than both the state ($27,000) and national ($26,000) medians, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 that most families can work with comfortably.

What makes this program particularly compelling is its trajectory. While it won't match the elite private school outcomes (Washington and Lee graduates earn $76,627), UMW performs competitively against larger state universities like Virginia Tech, all while keeping debt significantly lower. The 60th percentile ranking among Virginia business programs is meaningful—this isn't just scraping by, it's solidly middle-of-the-pack in a competitive state with strong public universities.

For families seeking a business degree without excessive financial risk, this program delivers. The combination of accessible admissions (86% acceptance rate), reasonable costs, and above-average earning potential makes it a sound investment. Your graduate won't struggle under debt while building their career, and the strong four-year earnings suggest good career placement and advancement opportunities.