Business Administration, Management and Operations at University of New Orleans

University of New Orleans business graduates earn nearly $7,400 less in their first year than the national median for this degree—landing in just the 19th percentile nationally. That's a significant gap for one of the most popular majors in higher education. Within Louisiana, the picture is more nuanced: UNO sits right at the state median, meaning half of Louisiana business programs deliver similar or worse outcomes. But that's cold comfort when Tulane grads earn 60% more ($61,089) and even regional competitors like McNeese State outpace UNO by $6,000 annually.

The debt load of $26,433 is right at the national median, yielding a manageable 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio—you'd typically spend about 35% of one year's income to repay these loans. Earnings do grow 15% by year four, reaching $43,876, which suggests graduates can advance beyond entry-level positions. For students choosing UNO for in-state tuition or family proximity, this represents a serviceable but unspectacular investment. However, families banking on a business degree to guarantee financial security should recognize that this program delivers below-average returns compared to the national business school landscape. If your student has the grades to consider Louisiana Tech or LSU-Shreveport, those programs offer similar debt with better earning trajectories.