Business Administration, Management and Operations at Washington College

Washington College's business program carries an estimated debt load of $25,000—right at Maryland's median—but outcomes for this particular program remain opaque due to small graduate cohorts. While similar business programs across Maryland suggest first-year earnings around $51,500, that figure masks substantial variation: top Maryland programs like University of Maryland-College Park and Loyola produce graduates earning $60,000-$66,000 in their first year, creating a $10,000-$15,000 gap that compounds significantly over a career.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 appears manageable on paper, but the real question is whether Washington College's smaller program can match the placement strength of Maryland's established business schools. The college's 1274 average SAT and 66% admission rate suggest solid academics, yet peer institutions with actual reported data are consistently outperforming the state median. For families considering a $25,000 debt investment, the lack of program-specific outcomes means you're essentially betting on whether this small liberal arts college can deliver career results comparable to larger universities with proven business pipelines.

Before committing, compare financial aid packages carefully and investigate where recent graduates actually land jobs. If Washington College can't demonstrate employer relationships and placement rates that rival programs with stronger earnings data, families might find better return on investment at Maryland schools with documented track records in the $55,000-$65,000 range.