Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods at Wartburg College

Looking at comparable programs in Iowa, management sciences graduates typically earn around $60,000 in their first year—a figure that translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 based on Wartburg's estimated $24,840 in borrowing. This sits right at the state median for the field, though it's worth noting the wide range among Iowa schools: Drake's program produces nearly double the earnings of Cornell's.

The challenge with this particular program is the limited data. When the Department of Education suppresses outcomes because too few students graduated, it raises questions about program scale and student demand. Similar programs across Iowa and nationally suggest decent financial returns—the national median of $62,000 is close to the state figure—but you're working without confirmed information about how Wartburg's specific graduates fare. The estimated debt level appears manageable relative to projected earnings, but that's assuming the state average holds true here.

If your child is considering this major at Wartburg, push the admissions office for placement data, alumni contacts, or employer relationships that can validate whether graduates are actually achieving these earning levels. With a 99% admission rate and suppressed outcomes data, you need more concrete evidence that this program delivers on its promise before committing to nearly $25,000 in debt.