Business/Commerce at University of Missouri-Columbia

Mizzou's business program delivers exceptional value, ranking in the 85th percentile nationally for graduate earnings while keeping debt manageable at $21,500—well below the national average of $26,000. With first-year graduates earning $56,000, this program significantly outperforms both the national median ($47,506) and Missouri median ($47,676), making it the clear earnings leader among Missouri business programs.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 is particularly attractive, meaning graduates typically earn back their entire debt load in less than five months of work. The 22% earnings growth from year one to year four demonstrates strong career trajectory potential. While the program ranks at the 60th percentile within Missouri (due to the state's generally strong business program performance), it still leads all other Missouri schools in actual dollar terms by a significant margin of $7,000+ over the next-best option.

For anxious parents, this represents a smart investment: your child gets strong earning potential from a well-established program at a reasonable cost. The 77% admission rate makes it accessible, while the robust sample size of 100+ graduates gives confidence these results are reliable and repeatable.