Business Administration, Management and Operations at Wagner College

Wagner College graduates start solidly but experience dramatic income growth that sets this program apart. While the $50,000 first-year salary sits comfortably above both national and New York state medians for business programs, the real story emerges by year four, when earnings jump 47% to nearly $74,000. That kind of trajectory suggests graduates are landing at companies with clear advancement paths, not just entry-level positions with limited upside.

The financial fundamentals work in students' favor here. At $27,000 in debt—just slightly above typical borrowing for this major—graduates face a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54. More importantly, the rapid earnings growth means that debt becomes increasingly manageable over time. Ranking in the 60th percentile among New York's 94 business programs indicates Wagner delivers above-average outcomes in a competitive state market, though it clearly trails the elite programs like Manhattan University and Syracuse.

For parents evaluating this program, the trajectory matters more than the starting point. Your graduate won't command top-dollar immediately after graduation, but the earnings data suggests Wagner's business program effectively prepares students for career progression. If your child can handle a moderate debt load and focus on long-term growth rather than maximizing their first paycheck, this represents a practical path into business management with improving returns over time.