Business, Management, Marketing, at Wilberforce University

Wilberforce graduates face a challenging launch, earning just $31,290 in their first year—well below the national median of $50,740 for business majors. However, the story shifts dramatically by year four, when earnings jump to $49,391, nearly closing the gap with national benchmarks. Interestingly, this program sits in the 60th percentile among Ohio business programs, where the typical graduate earns less than $29,000 initially. The $35,674 in debt is higher than both state and national averages, creating a tight first-year budget, but becomes more manageable as earnings nearly double.

The big caveat here is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates reported data, which means these numbers could swing considerably year to year. Wilberforce serves a predominantly lower-income student body (74% receive Pell grants), and the earnings pattern suggests graduates may be starting in entry-level positions before advancing into better-paying roles. The debt load isn't trivial, but it's not catastrophic given the strong earnings trajectory.

For families evaluating this program, the key question is whether your student can weather those early years with limited income while making loan payments. If they have family support or can minimize living expenses initially, the later earnings growth makes this viable. Just recognize you're looking at a program with limited data and uncertain outcomes.