Business Administration, Management and Operations at Woodbury University

Woodbury's business program offers a puzzling earnings pattern that parents should understand before committing. Graduates start strong at $51,668—beating both California's median ($49,543) and landing in the 60th percentile statewide. The relatively modest $19,500 debt load means students aren't overleveraged. But here's the concern: earnings drop 11% by year four, falling to $45,998. This backward trajectory is unusual for business graduates, who typically see steady income growth as they gain experience.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes it difficult to know whether this decline reflects a genuine trend or just statistical noise from tracking a handful of careers. It could indicate graduates pivoting to different fields, taking nonprofit or startup roles, or simply the randomness of a tiny dataset. The school serves a diverse population (49% receive Pell grants), and the 73% admission rate suggests it's accessible to students who might not get into Berkeley or USC, where business graduates earn $90,000+ right out of the gate.

For families, the key question is sustainability: if that first-year salary holds, the debt is manageable. But if the downward trend is real, graduates might struggle to build on their early momentum. Given the uncertainty, this works best as a backup option or for students with specific connections to Woodbury's Burbank location and media industry ties.