Business Administration, Management and Operations at University of North Dakota

University of North Dakota's business program graduates earn $53,776 right out of college—roughly $8,000 above the national median for business degrees and $4,300 above North Dakota's state median. At 60th percentile statewide, it's a solid middle-tier option in a state where business programs vary dramatically, from Bismarck State's impressive six-figure outcomes to more modest earnings elsewhere. The $23,000 debt load translates to a manageable 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary.

The stagnant earnings trajectory raises questions about long-term trajectory. Four years out, median earnings remain flat at $53,606—virtually unchanged from year one. While the initial earning power is strong compared to most business programs nationally, this plateau suggests graduates may hit a ceiling relatively quickly. That said, the combination of above-average starting salary and below-average debt creates breathing room early in one's career, when loan payments matter most.

For North Dakota families, this represents a reasonable value: your graduate enters the workforce earning more than half their peers in similar programs statewide, with debt well below the state average of $26,340. Just don't expect dramatic salary growth in those critical early career years.