Florida’s Stetson University business graduates spend over 60% of their income on student loan repayments, and the university has the sixth-highest debt at 61.6% of the average graduate salary after two years.
The research conducted by Tailwind, a social media tool for small businesses, examined the cost of a four-year degree, the estimated monthly loan repayment, and the average monthly earnings of business and marketing graduates at every institution on College Scorecard.
The colleges with the lowest monthly repayment as a percentage of their earnings after two years have been named the most cost-effective in 2025.
California State University, Dominguez Hills has the lowest loan repayment debt for business and marketing degrees at 9.3% of the average graduate salary.
New York’s Alfred University is the least economical institution for aspiring business leaders and marketers. With a four-year degree setting students back $209,348, they will be expected to pay $1,500 in monthly repayments. For graduates with average monthly earnings of $1,889 two years after graduation, this equates to 79.4% of their income, which is 165.5% above the national average.
The second least affordable college for business and marketing students is Franklin Pierce University. Based in New Hampshire, the college charges $241,960 for a four-year degree. According to the study, graduates earn $2,474 and spend 70.1% of their monthly income on loan repayments after two years, which amounts to $1,733 and 134.4% above average.
Nazareth College ranks as the third most expensive college for marketing and business graduates, with 62.9% of their monthly wage going towards loan repayments, followed by Whitworth University in fourth, with 62.2%. Rivier University ranks fifth, with 61.9% of graduate incomes spent on loan repayments after two years.
Daniel Maloney, CEO and Co-Founder of Tailwind Social Media App For Small Business, commented on the findings, “Marketing and business degrees are vital in the professional landscape and can lead to lucrative careers as a marketing executive, business development manager, financial analyst, and more.
“This research highlights the importance of considering the financial implications of higher education. By examining tuition costs as well as graduate salaries and loan repayments, prospective students can make more informed decisions about where to invest in their education for the greatest career and financial benefits.”
