Business Administration, Management and Operations at Vermont State University

Business graduates from Vermont State University earn $37,469 in their first year—roughly $9,000 less than the state median for business programs and nearly $8,000 below the national benchmark. More troubling is what happens next: earnings actually decline to $36,747 by year four, while graduates from peer Vermont programs like Saint Michael's and UVM start at $51,000 and typically see growth. The estimated $23,250 debt load is manageable in isolation, but when paired with these earnings, it creates a longer payback timeline than most business degrees warrant.

The lack of reported data here—necessitating national debt estimates—reflects a small graduate cohort, which might signal limited alumni networks or employer connections in an already tight Vermont job market. Business degrees typically succeed through networking and regional employer relationships, advantages that larger programs naturally possess. When a business credential ranks in just the 16th percentile nationally and 25th in-state, the value proposition becomes questionable, especially given the stagnant earnings trajectory.

Parents should understand this: comparable business programs in Vermont are producing substantially better outcomes, and those aren't elite institutions. If your child is set on Vermont State, demand specifics about internship placements, employer partnerships, and where recent graduates actually landed jobs. Otherwise, this particular business program looks like it's competing at a disadvantage even within its own state.