Business Administration, Management and Operations at University of Minnesota-Crookston

At nearly $59,000 in first-year earnings, Minnesota-Crookston's business program punches well above its weight—landing in the 94th percentile nationally while carrying debt that's actually below the national median. However, the state comparison reveals an important nuance: this program sits in the 60th percentile among Minnesota business programs, trailing flagships and some competitors by $7,000-$10,000 initially. Still, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 and strong 24% earnings growth to over $72,000 by year four, graduates typically repay loans within 5-6 months of starting salaries.

The real question is regional versus national perspective. If you're comparing this program to business degrees across America, it's exceptional—outearning 94% of similar programs. But Minnesota has unusually strong business education outcomes (state median of $52,469 versus $45,703 nationally), so being in the middle of the pack here isn't a weakness. The program costs less than average to complete and delivers returns that accelerate meaningfully after graduation.

For families prioritizing manageable debt and reliable mid-career earnings over top-tier starting salaries, this represents solid value. You're getting above-average national outcomes at below-average cost, though students willing to compete for admission at Twin Cities or attend online options like Capella might capture an additional $7,000-$10,000 in early earnings.