Business Administration, Management and Operations at University of Virginia's College at Wise

The $15,799 median debt here is genuinely impressive—among the lowest you'll find for any bachelor's program, and far below Virginia's $27,000 median for business degrees. But that advantage gets overshadowed by troubling earnings outcomes. At $34,175 one year out, graduates start well below both the national median ($45,703) and Virginia's median ($45,557) for business programs. That's a $11,000+ gap right out of the gate.

The 40% earnings growth to $47,939 by year four helps close that gap somewhat, and the 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates aren't drowning in payments. However, this program ranks at just the 25th percentile among Virginia business programs—meaning three-quarters of similar degrees in the state lead to better earnings. When you consider that JMU business graduates earn $65,931 and even mid-tier Virginia programs typically hit $50,000+, the opportunity cost becomes stark.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty to these numbers, but even accounting for statistical noise, this program appears to underperform its peers. The low debt is real value, especially for families worried about loan burdens. But if your child has the academic profile to attend a higher-ranked Virginia business program, the extra $15,000-20,000 in annual earnings at those schools would quickly offset any modest difference in borrowing. This works best for students who need to stay local or have limited college options—not as a first choice for families with flexibility.