Business Administration, Management and Operations: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 592 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$75,621 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
30.5 yrsModeled economic break-even
−67%Modeled 10-year ROI
$48,685Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$48,685Median reported earnings · year 4
$44,653Average reported earnings · year 5
$14,000Median federal debt
51thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
592Reporting programs
578With year-4 earnings
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
- $49,328
- Federal debt
- $14,600
- Reporting programs
- 137
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $48,685
- Federal debt
- $14,000
- Reporting programs
- 592
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $64,466
- Federal debt
- $26,000
- Reporting programs
- 1,282
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $140,589
- Federal debt
- $20,114
- Reporting programs
- 5
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $93,369
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 890
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $109,689
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 18
First Professional Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $166,604
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 5
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $88,594
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 42
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $74,472
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 9
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$41,613National median$48,68575th percentile$54,182
578 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach$85,8692Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide$85,8693William Rainey Harper College$78,2844Utah Valley University$77,7405San Jose City College$76,0946Thomas More University$75,6897De Anza College$75,2978Albertus Magnus College$74,8619Northwood University$74,82210Cañada College$73,129Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Business Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1011 · 9 crosswalk linksManagers, All OtherSOC 11-9199 · 7 crosswalk linksAdministrative Services ManagersSOC 11-3012 · 4 crosswalk linksGeneral and Operations ManagersSOC 11-1021 · 4 crosswalk linksIndustrial Production ManagersSOC 11-3051 · 4 crosswalk linksMedical and Health Services ManagersSOC 11-9111 · 4 crosswalk linksFacilities ManagersSOC 11-3013 · 3 crosswalk linksFirst-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support WorkersSOC 43-1011 · 3 crosswalk linksLogisticiansSOC 13-1081 · 3 crosswalk linksNatural Sciences ManagersSOC 11-9121 · 3 crosswalk linksProject Management SpecialistsSOC 13-1082 · 3 crosswalk linksTransportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersSOC 11-3071 · 3 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachAssociate's Degree | Daytona Beach, FL | $85,869 | $20,063 | +137% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-WorldwideAssociate's Degree | Daytona Beach, FL | $85,869 | $20,063 | +221% | Strong payoff |
| 3 | William Rainey Harper CollegeAssociate's Degree | Palatine, IL | $78,284 | Not available | +194% | Strong payoff |
| 4 | Utah Valley UniversityAssociate's Degree | Orem, UT | $77,740 | $14,250 | +219% | Strong payoff |
| 5 | San Jose City CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Jose, CA | $76,094 | Not available | +151% | Strong payoff |
| 6 | Thomas More UniversityAssociate's Degree | Crestview Hills, KY | $75,689 | Not available | +130% | Strong payoff |
| 7 | De Anza CollegeAssociate's Degree | Cupertino, CA | $75,297 | $7,271 | +193% | Strong payoff |
| 8 | Albertus Magnus CollegeAssociate's Degree | New Haven, CT | $74,861 | Not available | +89% | Positive payoff |
| 9 | Northwood UniversityAssociate's Degree | Midland, MI | $74,822 | $27,750 | +106% | Strong payoff |
| 10 | Cañada CollegeAssociate's Degree | Redwood City, CA | $73,129 | Not available | +212% | Strong payoff |
| 11 | College of San MateoAssociate's Degree | San Mateo, CA | $72,390 | Not available | +201% | Strong payoff |
| 12 | Gavilan CollegeAssociate's Degree | Gilroy, CA | $71,548 | Not available | +158% | Strong payoff |
| 13 | Park UniversityAssociate's Degree | Parkville, MO | $71,051 | $14,700 | +97% | Positive payoff |
| 14 | Sierra CollegeAssociate's Degree | Rocklin, CA | $68,877 | $9,500 | +129% | Strong payoff |
| 15 | Evergreen Valley CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Jose, CA | $67,761 | Not available | +98% | Positive payoff |
| 16 | Anne Arundel Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Arnold, MD | $67,675 | $9,050 | +89% | Positive payoff |
| 17 | Mission CollegeAssociate's Degree | Santa Clara, CA | $67,330 | Not available | +123% | Strong payoff |
| 18 | Baker UniversityAssociate's Degree | Baldwin City, KS | $66,875 | $20,583 | +56% | Positive payoff |
| 19 | Coastline Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fountain Valley, CA | $66,566 | Not available | +76% | Positive payoff |
| 20 | Elizabethtown CollegeAssociate's Degree | Elizabethtown, PA | $65,756 | $22,382 | +45% | Positive payoff |
| 21 | American Public University SystemAssociate's Degree | Charles Town, WV | $65,318 | $23,141 | +86% | Positive payoff |
| 22 | Los Medanos CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pittsburg, CA | $64,818 | Not available | +89% | Positive payoff |
| 23 | Skyline CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Bruno, CA | $64,294 | Not available | +106% | Strong payoff |
| 24 | San Diego Miramar CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Diego, CA | $64,293 | $5,500 | +100% | Positive payoff |
| 25 | Scottsdale Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Scottsdale, AZ | $64,264 | $8,917 | +65% | Positive payoff |
| 26 | Santa Rosa Junior CollegeAssociate's Degree | Santa Rosa, CA | $63,598 | Not available | +81% | Positive payoff |
| 27 | Chandler-Gilbert Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Chandler, AZ | $62,999 | $6,121 | +56% | Positive payoff |
| 28 | Middlesex CollegeAssociate's Degree | Edison, NJ | $62,991 | $8,585 | +90% | Positive payoff |
| 29 | Thomas Edison State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Trenton, NJ | $62,552 | $14,909 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 30 | Florida State College at JacksonvilleAssociate's Degree | Jacksonville, FL | $62,248 | $16,356 | +76% | Positive payoff |
| 31 | Irvine Valley CollegeAssociate's Degree | Irvine, CA | $62,090 | Not available | +81% | Positive payoff |
| 32 | University of Cincinnati-Main CampusAssociate's Degree | Cincinnati, OH | $61,998 | $16,125 | +20% | Positive payoff |
| 33 | University of Cincinnati-Clermont CollegeAssociate's Degree | Batavia, OH | $61,998 | $16,125 | +45% | Positive payoff |
| 34 | University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash CollegeAssociate's Degree | Blue Ash, OH | $61,998 | $16,125 | +38% | Positive payoff |
| 35 | Arapahoe Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Littleton, CO | $61,975 | $22,144 | +50% | Positive payoff |
| 36 | Los Angeles Pierce CollegeAssociate's Degree | Woodland Hills, CA | $61,770 | Not available | +44% | Positive payoff |
| 37 | Northern Virginia Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Annandale, VA | $61,649 | $10,319 | +52% | Positive payoff |
| 38 | West Valley CollegeAssociate's Degree | Saratoga, CA | $61,612 | Not available | +72% | Positive payoff |
| 39 | Warner Pacific UniversityAssociate's Degree | Portland, OR | $61,464 | $33,219 | +17% | Positive payoff |
| 40 | Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate StudiesAssociate's Degree | Portland, OR | $61,464 | $33,219 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 41 | Columbia Southern UniversityAssociate's Degree | Orange Beach, AL | $61,433 | $21,764 | +38% | Positive payoff |
| 42 | Laney CollegeAssociate's Degree | Oakland, CA | $61,340 | Not available | +32% | Positive payoff |
| 43 | Chabot CollegeAssociate's Degree | Hayward, CA | $61,098 | Not available | +49% | Positive payoff |
| 44 | Mount Wachusett Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Gardner, MA | $61,089 | $11,000 | +52% | Positive payoff |
| 45 | Cornerstone UniversityAssociate's Degree | Grand Rapids, MI | $61,067 | $28,200 | +23% | Positive payoff |
| 46 | Allan Hancock CollegeAssociate's Degree | Santa Maria, CA | $61,059 | Not available | +59% | Positive payoff |
| 47 | Des Moines Area Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Ankeny, IA | $60,716 | $10,811 | +40% | Positive payoff |
| 48 | Southern New Hampshire UniversityAssociate's Degree | Manchester, NH | $60,698 | $24,500 | -4% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | Franklin UniversityAssociate's Degree | Columbus, OH | $60,440 | $29,628 | +10% | Positive payoff |
| 50 | Ocean County CollegeAssociate's Degree | Toms River, NJ | $60,411 | $11,000 | +37% | Positive payoff |
| 51 | Cerritos CollegeAssociate's Degree | Norwalk, CA | $60,343 | $7,975 | +62% | Positive payoff |
| 52 | College of the CanyonsAssociate's Degree | Santa Clarita, CA | $60,290 | $9,980 | +57% | Positive payoff |
| 53 | Orange Coast CollegeAssociate's Degree | Costa Mesa, CA | $60,193 | Not available | +46% | Positive payoff |
| 54 | North Hennepin Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Brooklyn Park, MN | $60,146 | $21,210 | +32% | Positive payoff |
| 55 | Normandale Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bloomington, MN | $60,034 | $31,131 | +30% | Positive payoff |
| 56 | Santiago Canyon CollegeAssociate's Degree | Orange, CA | $59,862 | Not available | +58% | Positive payoff |
| 57 | Excelsior UniversityAssociate's Degree | Albany, NY | $59,793 | $9,875 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 58 | Portland Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Portland, OR | $59,792 | $15,273 | +33% | Positive payoff |
| 59 | Columbus State Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Columbus, OH | $59,721 | Not available | +38% | Positive payoff |
| 60 | Cape Cod Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | West Barnstable, MA | $59,462 | $7,499 | +36% | Positive payoff |
| 61 | Bunker Hill Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Boston, MA | $59,381 | $9,937 | +36% | Positive payoff |
| 62 | Holyoke Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Holyoke, MA | $59,378 | $9,200 | +35% | Positive payoff |
| 63 | San Diego Mesa CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Diego, CA | $59,220 | $8,000 | +40% | Positive payoff |
| 64 | Western Wyoming Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Rock Springs, WY | $59,183 | $8,500 | +37% | Positive payoff |
| 65 | County College of MorrisAssociate's Degree | Randolph, NJ | $59,132 | $9,587 | +31% | Positive payoff |
| 66 | Middlesex Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bedford, MA | $59,103 | $7,551 | +48% | Positive payoff |
| 67 | Massachusetts Bay Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Wellesley Hills, MA | $58,870 | $7,394 | +33% | Positive payoff |
| 68 | Post UniversityAssociate's Degree | Waterbury, CT | $58,801 | $39,549 | +4% | Positive payoff |
| 69 | McHenry County CollegeAssociate's Degree | Crystal Lake, IL | $58,796 | Not available | +33% | Positive payoff |
| 70 | Oakland Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Auburn Hills, MI | $58,757 | $11,862 | +35% | Positive payoff |
| 71 | Waukesha County Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pewaukee, WI | $58,693 | $18,019 | +22% | Positive payoff |
| 72 | York Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Rock Hill, SC | $58,681 | $12,250 | +34% | Positive payoff |
| 73 | Chaffey CollegeAssociate's Degree | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | $58,657 | $6,459 | +35% | Positive payoff |
| 74 | Rockland Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Suffern, NY | $58,497 | Not available | +20% | Positive payoff |
| 75 | Century CollegeAssociate's Degree | White Bear Lake, MN | $58,476 | Not available | +21% | Positive payoff |
| 76 | College of DuPageAssociate's Degree | Glen Ellyn, IL | $58,233 | $12,000 | +26% | Positive payoff |
| 77 | Long Beach City CollegeAssociate's Degree | Long Beach, CA | $58,212 | $6,000 | +29% | Positive payoff |
| 78 | Bucks County Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Newtown, PA | $57,980 | $11,000 | +26% | Positive payoff |
| 79 | College of MarinAssociate's Degree | Kentfield, CA | $57,924 | Not available | +13% | Positive payoff |
| 80 | Dakota State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Madison, SD | $57,912 | Not available | -2% | Negative payoff |
| 81 | Quinsigamond Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Worcester, MA | $57,791 | $14,671 | +18% | Positive payoff |
| 82 | Kankakee Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Kankakee, IL | $57,778 | Not available | +29% | Positive payoff |
| 83 | San Joaquin Delta CollegeAssociate's Degree | Stockton, CA | $57,648 | Not available | +33% | Positive payoff |
| 84 | Central Oregon Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bend, OR | $57,555 | $14,000 | +10% | Positive payoff |
| 85 | Cosumnes River CollegeAssociate's Degree | Sacramento, CA | $57,450 | $5,500 | +22% | Positive payoff |
| 86 | Rasmussen University-FloridaAssociate's Degree | Ocala, FL | $57,337 | $25,555 | -8% | Negative payoff |
| 87 | Rasmussen University-MinnesotaAssociate's Degree | St. Cloud, MN | $57,337 | $25,555 | -2% | Negative payoff |
| 88 | Rasmussen University-North DakotaAssociate's Degree | Fargo, ND | $57,337 | $25,555 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 89 | Rasmussen University-IllinoisAssociate's Degree | Rockford, IL | $57,337 | $25,555 | -5% | Negative payoff |
| 90 | Rasmussen University-WisconsinAssociate's Degree | Green Bay, WI | $57,337 | $25,555 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 91 | Rasmussen University-KansasAssociate's Degree | Topeka, KS | $57,337 | $25,555 | -11% | Negative payoff |
| 92 | Ferris State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Big Rapids, MI | $57,164 | $17,100 | +13% | Positive payoff |
| 93 | Chattahoochee Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Marietta, GA | $57,082 | Not available | +25% | Positive payoff |
| 94 | Quincy CollegeAssociate's Degree | Quincy, MA | $57,073 | $13,800 | -3% | Negative payoff |
| 95 | Diablo Valley CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pleasant Hill, CA | $56,853 | $8,250 | +11% | Positive payoff |
| 96 | Lakeshore Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Cleveland, WI | $56,700 | $13,042 | +7% | Positive payoff |
| 97 | Miami University-HamiltonAssociate's Degree | Hamilton, OH | $56,692 | $12,000 | +4% | Positive payoff |
| 98 | Miami University-MiddletownAssociate's Degree | Middletown, OH | $56,692 | $12,000 | +5% | Positive payoff |
| 99 | Miami University-OxfordAssociate's Degree | Oxford, OH | $56,692 | $12,000 | -20% | Negative payoff |
| 100 | Lake Superior CollegeAssociate's Degree | Duluth, MN | $56,674 | $15,250 | -4% | Negative payoff |
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.