Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $39,513/yr fall 16% below the $46,892 national median for Business Administration. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The 28.2x 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 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $21,836 debt-to-$39,513 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
Ranked #436 out of 1,169 programs, Western Carolina University's Business Administration offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $39,513 to $50,856 shows 29% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.