Business Administration, Management and Operations at University of Mississippi

Ole Miss's business program lands right in the middle nationally but outperforms most Mississippi options—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide while starting graduates at $44,971. That's $5,200 above the state median and competitive with more selective Mississippi schools. With a debt load of $21,900 (about $3,000 below the state average), graduates face a manageable 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio and see steady income growth to $53,057 within four years.

The tradeoff here is straightforward: this isn't a premium business program that will catapult your child into high finance, but it delivers solid, practical preparation at a reasonable cost. The 98% admission rate means virtually guaranteed access, and the relatively low debt burden gives graduates breathing room to take entry-level positions without crushing monthly payments. For Mississippi families especially, this represents good value—better earnings than most in-state alternatives without the premium price tag of private schools like Millsaps or Belhaven.

The practical takeaway: if your child wants to work in business within Mississippi or the broader Southeast, Ole Miss provides a credible degree that won't saddle them with excessive debt. The earnings trajectory is steady rather than spectacular, but the math works in their favor from day one.