Business/Commerce (Associate's Degree) at Arkansas State University-Beebe

Median Earnings (1yr)

$23,663

5th percentile

25th percentile in Arkansas

Median Debt

$8,000

40% below national median

Analysis

Starting at under $24,000 annually, graduates of this associate's program earn roughly 35% less than the typical Arkansas business associate's graduate ($32,334) and rank in just the 5th percentile nationally. While the $8,000 debt load is manageable—well below both state and national medians—the initial earnings are concerning. For context, other Arkansas community colleges like Cossatot and UA-Pulaski Tech produce business grads earning $36,000-$44,000 right out of the gate, suggesting significantly stronger employment outcomes elsewhere in the state.

The silver lining is substantial earnings growth: by year four, graduates reach $35,191, approaching the state median. This 49% jump suggests the degree may serve as a stepping stone rather than a career credential. However, with fewer than 30 graduates in the dataset, these numbers could shift dramatically year to year, making them less reliable for planning purposes.

The bottom line: this program combines very low initial earnings with low debt, which limits downside risk but doesn't solve the fundamental problem of below-market compensation. If your child is considering business programs in Arkansas, compare outcomes carefully—several in-state alternatives deliver $10,000+ more in first-year earnings for similar or even lower debt loads.

Where Arkansas State University-Beebe Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce associates's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Arkansas State University-Beebe graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Arkansas State University-Beebe	$23,663	$35,191	+49%
Thomas More University	$83,571	$68,202	-18%
Strayer University-Arkansas	$44,154	$47,516	+8%
NorthWest Arkansas Community College	$31,888	$46,351	+45%
North Arkansas College	$30,627	$29,137	-5%

Compare to Similar Programs in Arkansas

Business/Commerce associates's programs at peer institutions in Arkansas (23 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Arkansas State University-BeebeBeebe	$3,216	$23,663	$35,191	$8,000	0.34
Strayer University-ArkansasLittle Rock	$13,920	$44,154	$47,516	$32,810	0.74
Cossatot Community College of the University of ArkansasDe Queen	$3,906	$36,808	—	—	—
University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical CollegeNorth Little Rock	$4,848	$32,780	—	$13,750	0.42
NorthWest Arkansas Community CollegeBentonville	$2,982	$31,888	$46,351	$11,313	0.35
North Arkansas CollegeHarrison	$3,168	$30,627	$29,137	$10,095	0.33
National Median	—	$36,591	—	$13,437	0.37

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Arkansas State University-Beebe, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 29 graduates with reported earnings and 34 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.