Business Administration, Management and Operations at Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee's business program delivers exceptional outcomes that justify its selectivity. Graduates earn $76,627 in their first year—outperforming 95% of business programs nationally and matching William & Mary as the top earner in Virginia. While the $27,000 debt figure is estimated from comparable Virginia programs (the actual graduate count is too small for the DOE to publish), this debt level would represent just 35% of first-year earnings, well below the rule-of-thumb threshold for manageable education debt.

The earnings trajectory looks strong beyond that initial placement. Four-year earnings of $98,403 represent 28% growth, and given the school's 17% admission rate and students' 1504 average SAT score, these graduates are likely accessing competitive finance and consulting roles that compound advantages over time. The challenge for families is that with only 11% of students receiving Pell grants, this environment overwhelmingly serves affluent students who may have safety nets that make debt less consequential.

For families considering full-pay or significant borrowing, the estimated debt-to-earnings picture suggests this is a sound investment if your child can gain admission and thrive in a highly selective environment. The real question isn't whether the program performs—it clearly does—but whether your family can afford it without taking on substantially more debt than the state median suggests.