Business Administration, Management and Operations at Westminster College

Westminster College's business program produces graduates who start significantly behind their Missouri peers—about $5,000 below the state median in their first year—but the 63% earnings jump to $61,542 by year four tells a more complex story. Among Missouri's 42 business programs, this ranks right at the 40th percentile, meaning half the state's schools do worse. The $24,500 debt load is actually lighter than both state and national medians, creating a manageable 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio that many families could handle.

The major caveat: these numbers come from a very small sample of recent graduates, so they could swing considerably with just a few data points. That said, the pattern suggests Westminster graduates may take longer to establish their careers but eventually reach respectable earnings. Compare this to Missouri's top performers like Ranken Technical College ($73,200) or Columbia College ($53,748), and the gap is substantial.

For families considering Westminster's business program, the question is whether the college's other attributes—smaller classes, campus environment, or location—justify starting at the back of the pack earnings-wise. The relatively low debt makes this less risky than it could be, but parents should understand their child will likely need patience and hustle to reach competitive salaries in their field.