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MASTER'S DEGREE · DEGREE PAYOFF · FEDERAL FIELD 5201

Business/Commerce, General: is this master's degree worth it?

National picture across 77 reporting college programs.

Personal baseline needed

$106,812 in median year-4 earnings

A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.

$106,812Median year-4 earnings

$19,402Average institution net-price context

Not availableMedian federal debt

Use your actual price and alternative earnings before evaluating return. Model your own starting point →

WHAT THIS DEGREE PAYS

Observed national outcomes

$106,812Median reported earnings · year 4

$112,873Average reported earnings · year 5

Not availableMedian federal debt

72thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential

77Reporting programs

77With year-4 earnings

COMPARE CREDENTIAL LEVELS

The same field can produce a different equation.

Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.

OPEN PROFILE

Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma

Year-4 earnings: $43,651
Federal debt: $14,094
Reporting programs: 26

18 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Associate's Degree

Year-4 earnings: $52,628
Federal debt: $17,500
Reporting programs: 223

219 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Bachelor's Degree

Year-4 earnings: $65,292
Federal debt: $26,290
Reporting programs: 293

282 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Post-baccalaureate Certificate

Year-4 earnings: $134,050
Federal debt: $15,725
Reporting programs: 1

1 report earnings →CURRENT VIEW

Master's Degree

Year-4 earnings: $106,812
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 77

77 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Doctoral Degree

Year-4 earnings: $107,902
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 1

1 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

First Professional Degree

Year-4 earnings: $92,953
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 1

1 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Graduate/Professional Certificate

Year-4 earnings: $113,127
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 3

3 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)

Year-4 earnings: $51,817
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 3

3 report earnings →

COLLEGE-TO-COLLEGE RANGE

Where the middle half of programs lands

Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.

Median

25th percentile$85,420National median$106,81275th percentile$123,477

77 programs report year‑4 earnings.

WHERE OUTCOMES ARE STRONGEST

See the spread, not just the national number.

1Massachusetts Institute of Technology$258,152 2Northwestern University$240,637 3Emory University$209,140 4Michigan State University$188,085 5University of Virginia-Main Campus$180,117 6Indiana University-Indianapolis$171,615 7Indiana University-Bloomington$161,345 8University of Wisconsin-Madison$160,097 9Johns Hopkins University$158,699 10Northeastern University$148,490

Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking

WHERE THIS FIELD CAN LEAD

Related occupations

Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.

Administrative Services ManagersSOC 11-3012 · 1 crosswalk linksAppraisers of Personal and Business PropertySOC 13-2022 · 1 crosswalk linksBusiness Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1011 · 1 crosswalk linksChief ExecutivesSOC 11-1011 · 1 crosswalk linksConstruction ManagersSOC 11-9021 · 1 crosswalk linksCost EstimatorsSOC 13-1051 · 1 crosswalk linksEntertainment and Recreation Managers, Except GamblingSOC 11-9072 · 1 crosswalk linksFacilities ManagersSOC 11-3013 · 1 crosswalk linksGeneral and Operations ManagersSOC 11-1021 · 1 crosswalk linksIndustrial Production ManagersSOC 11-3051 · 1 crosswalk linksManagement AnalystsSOC 13-1111 · 1 crosswalk linksManagers, All OtherSOC 11-9199 · 1 crosswalk links

BEST COLLEGES FOR BUSINESS/COMMERCE, GENERAL

Same degree, different outcomes

Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.

#	College	Location	Earnings, year 4	Federal debt	ROI status	Cost context
1	Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMaster's Degree	Cambridge, MA	$258,152	Not available	Baseline needed	$20,111
2	Northwestern UniversityMaster's Degree	Evanston, IL	$240,637	Not available	Baseline needed	$29,167
3	Emory UniversityMaster's Degree	Atlanta, GA	$209,140	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,585
4	Michigan State UniversityMaster's Degree	East Lansing, MI	$188,085	Not available	Baseline needed	$19,680
5	University of Virginia-Main CampusMaster's Degree	Charlottesville, VA	$180,117	Not available	Baseline needed	$21,565
6	Indiana University-IndianapolisMaster's Degree	Indianapolis, IN	$171,615	Not available	Baseline needed	$11,668
7	Indiana University-BloomingtonMaster's Degree	Bloomington, IN	$161,345	Not available	Baseline needed	$16,264
8	University of Wisconsin-MadisonMaster's Degree	Madison, WI	$160,097	Not available	Baseline needed	$17,354
9	Johns Hopkins UniversityMaster's Degree	Baltimore, MD	$158,699	Not available	Baseline needed	$18,809
10	Northeastern UniversityMaster's Degree	Boston, MA	$148,490	Not available	Baseline needed	$30,915
11	Northeastern University Professional ProgramsMaster's Degree	Boston, MA	$148,490	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
12	Georgia State UniversityMaster's Degree	Atlanta, GA	$143,079	Not available	Baseline needed	$15,931
13	Drexel UniversityMaster's Degree	Philadelphia, PA	$142,843	Not available	Baseline needed	$38,509
14	Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaMaster's Degree	Philadelphia, PA	$141,003	Not available	Baseline needed	$29,689
15	Loyola Marymount UniversityMaster's Degree	Los Angeles, CA	$140,532	Not available	Baseline needed	$48,381
16	University of DenverMaster's Degree	Denver, CO	$133,993	Not available	Baseline needed	$36,131
17	University of Missouri-St LouisMaster's Degree	Saint Louis, MO	$129,101	Not available	Baseline needed	$15,071
18	Grand Valley State UniversityMaster's Degree	Allendale, MI	$128,108	Not available	Baseline needed	$16,317
19	University of Missouri-ColumbiaMaster's Degree	Columbia, MO	$123,999	Not available	Baseline needed	$20,268
20	University of New Hampshire-Main CampusMaster's Degree	Durham, NH	$123,477	Not available	Baseline needed	$23,805
21	Creighton UniversityMaster's Degree	Omaha, NE	$122,105	Not available	Baseline needed	$31,568
22	Ball State UniversityMaster's Degree	Muncie, IN	$120,992	Not available	Baseline needed	$14,940
23	University of Missouri-Kansas CityMaster's Degree	Kansas City, MO	$119,601	Not available	Baseline needed	$13,310
24	West Virginia UniversityMaster's Degree	Morgantown, WV	$119,013	Not available	Baseline needed	$15,634
25	Indiana University-NorthwestMaster's Degree	Gary, IN	$118,385	Not available	Baseline needed	$5,130
26	Indiana University-South BendMaster's Degree	South Bend, IN	$115,947	Not available	Baseline needed	$8,653
27	Belmont UniversityMaster's Degree	Nashville, TN	$113,806	Not available	Baseline needed	$33,147
28	Tulane University of LouisianaMaster's Degree	New Orleans, LA	$113,672	Not available	Baseline needed	$39,949
29	Purdue University Fort WayneMaster's Degree	Fort Wayne, IN	$113,001	Not available	Baseline needed	$13,171
30	University of KentuckyMaster's Degree	Lexington, KY	$111,868	Not available	Baseline needed	$18,851
31	University of LouisvilleMaster's Degree	Louisville, KY	$110,622	Not available	Baseline needed	$17,988
32	Jacksonville State UniversityMaster's Degree	Jacksonville, AL	$110,346	Not available	Baseline needed	$14,279
33	Utah Valley UniversityMaster's Degree	Orem, UT	$110,270	Not available	Baseline needed	$6,376
34	Indiana University-SoutheastMaster's Degree	New Albany, IN	$109,847	Not available	Baseline needed	$7,888
35	University of Central FloridaMaster's Degree	Orlando, FL	$108,978	Not available	Baseline needed	$10,411
36	Virginia Commonwealth UniversityMaster's Degree	Richmond, VA	$108,337	Not available	Baseline needed	$23,433
37	Florida State UniversityMaster's Degree	Tallahassee, FL	$107,889	Not available	Baseline needed	$11,297
38	University of RedlandsMaster's Degree	Redlands, CA	$107,522	Not available	Baseline needed	$30,031
39	Cameron UniversityMaster's Degree	Lawton, OK	$106,812	Not available	Baseline needed	$10,912
40	The College of Saint ScholasticaMaster's Degree	Duluth, MN	$106,676	Not available	Baseline needed	$27,846
41	Gonzaga UniversityMaster's Degree	Spokane, WA	$104,495	Not available	Baseline needed	$35,119
42	The Catholic University of AmericaMaster's Degree	Washington, DC	$103,834	Not available	Baseline needed	$29,561
43	University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterMaster's Degree	Whitewater, WI	$102,812	Not available	Baseline needed	$14,158
44	Maryville University of Saint LouisMaster's Degree	Saint Louis, MO	$102,806	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,066
45	Post UniversityMaster's Degree	Waterbury, CT	$101,826	Not available	Baseline needed	$21,634
46	Mercer UniversityMaster's Degree	Macon, GA	$101,623	Not available	Baseline needed	$23,847
47	University of North GeorgiaMaster's Degree	Dahlonega, GA	$97,809	Not available	Baseline needed	$9,823
48	Murray State UniversityMaster's Degree	Murray, KY	$96,691	Not available	Baseline needed	$9,096
49	Northern Kentucky UniversityMaster's Degree	Highland Heights, KY	$94,965	Not available	Baseline needed	$8,191
50	Georgia College & State UniversityMaster's Degree	Milledgeville, GA	$94,468	Not available	Baseline needed	$20,686
51	Loyola University New OrleansMaster's Degree	New Orleans, LA	$92,654	Not available	Baseline needed	$23,696
52	Nebraska Wesleyan UniversityMaster's Degree	Lincoln, NE	$91,021	Not available	Baseline needed	$18,327
53	Biola UniversityMaster's Degree	La Mirada, CA	$90,894	Not available	Baseline needed	$31,495
54	Morehead State UniversityMaster's Degree	Morehead, KY	$89,399	Not available	Baseline needed	$9,793
55	California Baptist UniversityMaster's Degree	Riverside, CA	$89,018	Not available	Baseline needed	$26,285
56	Columbia CollegeMaster's Degree	Columbia, MO	$87,915	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,715
57	The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyMaster's Degree	Edinburg, TX	$87,822	Not available	Baseline needed	$4,831
58	Azusa Pacific UniversityMaster's Degree	Azusa, CA	$85,420	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,212
59	Lindenwood UniversityMaster's Degree	Saint Charles, MO	$85,320	Not available	Baseline needed	$19,638
60	Colorado State University PuebloMaster's Degree	Pueblo, CO	$84,995	Not available	Baseline needed	$10,051
61	University of North FloridaMaster's Degree	Jacksonville, FL	$81,376	Not available	Baseline needed	$10,154
62	Indiana Institute of TechnologyMaster's Degree	Fort Wayne, IN	$78,881	Not available	Baseline needed	$23,206
63	Auburn University at MontgomeryMaster's Degree	Montgomery, AL	$78,731	Not available	Baseline needed	$13,224
64	Marshall UniversityMaster's Degree	Huntington, WV	$77,136	Not available	Baseline needed	$7,502
65	Campbellsville UniversityMaster's Degree	Campbellsville, KY	$76,568	Not available	Baseline needed	$19,341
66	Concordia University-NebraskaMaster's Degree	Seward, NE	$75,289	Not available	Baseline needed	$23,965
67	University of CharlestonMaster's Degree	Charleston, WV	$75,247	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,107
68	Schreiner UniversityMaster's Degree	Kerrville, TX	$71,621	Not available	Baseline needed	$21,507
69	Bethel UniversityMaster's Degree	McKenzie, TN	$70,110	Not available	Baseline needed	$12,595
70	Savannah State UniversityMaster's Degree	Savannah, GA	$65,620	Not available	Baseline needed	$8,172
71	Spalding UniversityMaster's Degree	Louisville, KY	$61,096	Not available	Baseline needed	$25,491
72	Missouri Southern State UniversityMaster's Degree	Joplin, MO	$58,131	Not available	Baseline needed	$12,007
73	University of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasMaster's Degree	San Juan, PR	$57,619	Not available	Baseline needed	$9,175
74	Henderson State UniversityMaster's Degree	Arkadelphia, AR	$56,919	Not available	Baseline needed	$23,405
75	South Carolina State UniversityMaster's Degree	Orangeburg, SC	$54,848	Not available	Baseline needed	$18,097
76	Arizona State University Campus ImmersionMaster's Degree	Tempe, AZ	$53,599	Not available	Baseline needed	$14,967
77	Medaille UniversityMaster's Degree	,	$78,140	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available

This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.