Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $55,633 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale come in 19% above the national median of $46,892 for Business Administration programs.
The 10.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
With first-year pay of $55,633 far exceeding the $25,712 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Ranked #196 out of 1,169 programs, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's Business Administration program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.
Earnings growth is modest: $55,633 to $66,066 over five years (19% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.