Entry Level Salary
$47,195
Median Salary
$91,000
Unemployment Rate
3.0%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
37.9%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,640,000
Entry (Early)
$47,195
Median (Prime)
$91,000
High (Prime)
$94,391
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-30k
+332k
+360k
$25k / yr
-120k
+242k
+270k
$50k / yr
-210k
+152k
+180k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
26
26
$25k / yr
Never
31
30
$50k / yr
Never
37
36
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-110%
223%
248%
$50k / yr
-97%
70%
83%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate24.1%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Management occupations
6.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$54,699
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$113,580|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Accountants and auditors
3.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$57,269
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$82,592|$81,680
openings
124,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.6%
Top executives
3.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$70,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$191,293|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Financial managers
2.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$56,275
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$114,538|$161,700
openings
74,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +14.8%
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing
2.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,994
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$104,125|$74,100
openings
142,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
2.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$45,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$70,793|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%
Human resources workers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$52,063
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$78,785|$74,220
openings
87,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.8%
Retail salespersons
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$33,765
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,000|$34,580
openings
555,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.5%
Management analysts
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$75,409
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$104,125|$101,190
openings
98,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.8%
Real estate brokers and sales agents
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,105
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$83,300|$58,960
openings
46,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.1%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| business/commerce, general. | Undergrad Certificate | 129 | $33,630 - $118,137 |
| business/commerce, general. | Associate's Degree | 434 | $26,829 - $83,959 |
| business/commerce, general. | Bachelor's Degree | 401 | $25,817 - $142,113 |
| business/commerce, general. | Post-bacc Certificate | 7 | $134,050 - $134,050 |
| business/commerce, general. | Master's Degree | 118 | $53,599 - $258,152 |
| business/commerce, general. | Doctoral Degree | 21 | $107,902 - $107,902 |
| business/commerce, general. | First Professional Degree | 1 | $92,953 - $92,953 |
| business/commerce, general. | Graduate Certificate | 22 | $105,467 - $123,207 |
| business/commerce, general. | Level 99 | 21 | $24,549 - $75,139 |
| business/corporate communications. | Bachelor's Degree | 53 | $48,643 - $80,781 |
| business/corporate communications. | Master's Degree | 6 | $83,481 - $83,481 |
| entrepreneurial and small business operations. | Undergrad Certificate | 187 | $32,459 - $91,825 |
| entrepreneurial and small business operations. | Associate's Degree | 118 | $26,292 - $46,674 |
| entrepreneurial and small business operations. | Bachelor's Degree | 226 | $21,272 - $132,903 |
| entrepreneurial and small business operations. | Post-bacc Certificate | 6 | $72,411 - $72,411 |
| entrepreneurial and small business operations. | Master's Degree | 56 | $42,689 - $252,729 |
| entrepreneurial and small business operations. | Graduate Certificate | 28 | Data N/A |
| entrepreneurial and small business operations. | Level 99 | 11 | $30,039 - $30,039 |
| real estate development. | Bachelor's Degree | 2 | $107,292 - $107,292 |
| real estate development. | Master's Degree | 12 | $100,759 - $185,174 |
| real estate. | Undergrad Certificate | 66 | $27,735 - $100,940 |
| real estate. | Associate's Degree | 45 | $43,411 - $53,534 |
| real estate. | Bachelor's Degree | 53 | $50,662 - $143,977 |
| real estate. | Master's Degree | 34 | $83,465 - $230,624 |