Business Administration, Management and Operations at University of Memphis

The University of Memphis business program performs solidly in the middle of the pack—both nationally and within Tennessee—but trails significantly behind the state's top programs. With first-year earnings of $47,611, graduates earn about $5,000 more than the typical Tennessee business graduate and land in the 60th percentile statewide. However, the gap to Tennessee's elite programs is substantial: UT-Knoxville, Tennessee Wesleyan, Rhodes, and Union all place graduates earning $58,000+ out of the gate, roughly $10,000 more annually.

The financial picture is straightforward and manageable. Graduates carry $25,500 in debt—slightly below both state and national medians—and earn enough to keep the debt-to-earnings ratio at a reasonable 0.54. The 11% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests steady career progression without dramatic jumps. For a school with a 93% admission rate serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (40%), these outcomes represent accessible, middle-class economic mobility rather than explosive earning potential.

If your child has admission offers from Tennessee's more selective business programs, the $10,000+ annual earnings gap is worth serious consideration—that difference compounds significantly over a career. But if University of Memphis is the most affordable option or your child prefers staying in Memphis, the program delivers predictable results with manageable debt. It won't catapult graduates to the top of the earnings ladder, but it provides a stable foundation for a business career.