Median Earnings (1yr)
$50,729
68th percentile
60th percentile in California
Median Debt
$24,602
5% below national median

Analysis

University of San Francisco's business program shows something you don't often see: graduates who nearly double their earnings in just three years. Starting at $50,729, these alumni reach $91,169 by year four—an 80% jump that suggests strong employer networks and career acceleration in the Bay Area market. While the program sits in the 60th percentile among California business schools initially, that four-year number puts it within striking distance of USC and Pepperdine grads, despite USF's considerably lower admission selectivity.

The $24,602 in median debt is quite reasonable, particularly given San Francisco's cost of living. That 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary—manageable even before accounting for the substantial raises that appear to follow. The Bay Area's concentration of mid-market companies, startups, and established tech firms seems to benefit USF graduates disproportionately as they gain experience and leverage local connections.

For families willing to invest in a private school education, this program delivers measurable career momentum. The steep earnings trajectory suggests graduates aren't just landing jobs—they're accessing advancement opportunities that justify the upfront cost. If your child thrives in urban environments and can tap into USF's San Francisco employer relationships, the financial outcomes support choosing this over many higher-ranked alternatives.

Where University of San Francisco Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business administration, management and operations bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How University of San Francisco graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of San Francisco$50,729$91,169+80%
University of California-Berkeley$90,008$123,780+38%
University of Southern California$71,668$87,767+22%
Golden Gate University$77,752$87,027+12%
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo$71,876$85,332+19%

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Business Administration, Management and Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (98 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of San FranciscoSan Francisco$58,222$50,729$91,169$24,6020.48
University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley$14,850$90,008$123,780$12,1950.14
Golden Gate UniversitySan Francisco$31,243$77,752$87,027$33,9680.44
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo$11,075$71,876$85,332$17,0000.24
University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles$68,237$71,668$87,767$17,3750.24
Pepperdine UniversityMalibu$66,742$69,751$82,688$28,0000.40
National Median$45,703$26,0000.57

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business administration, management and operations graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

$140,360/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Human Resources Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

$140,030/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of San Francisco, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 114 graduates with reported earnings and 133 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.