Business Operations Support and Assistant Services at American Institute-West Hartford

This certificate falls below national earnings benchmarks but tells a more nuanced story for Connecticut students. Graduates earn $22,347 their first year—about 11% below the national median for business operations programs—yet this represents the median for Connecticut programs, where this field simply pays less than in other states. The $8,541 in typical debt is relatively modest, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 that's manageable even at these salary levels.

The concerning element here is the 34th percentile national ranking, which reflects genuine weakness in starting salaries compared to similar programs nationwide. However, with two-thirds of students receiving Pell grants, this program appears to serve students who may have limited alternatives. The low debt burden means graduates aren't spending years digging out of a financial hole, even if they're starting at entry-level wages.

For families evaluating this investment: you're looking at under $9,000 in debt for credentials that lead to administrative support roles paying around $22,000. That's half a year's salary in debt—not crushing by any measure. The real question is whether these earnings grow substantially over time or plateau quickly. At this price point and debt level, it functions more as a stepping stone than a destination degree, which may be exactly what students need if they're entering the workforce with limited experience.