Business Administration, Management and Operations at ATA College

The debt load here demands attention. At an estimated $25,555 for an associate's degree—based on what similar private career colleges typically charge—ATA students would be borrowing nearly double what Kentucky's community colleges report for the same credential. That's particularly striking given that 84% of students qualify for Pell grants, indicating a population with limited financial resources.

The earnings picture based on comparable Kentucky programs suggests around $35,788 in first-year income, which aligns with the state median for business management associate's degrees. That produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71—manageable on paper, but the comparison to alternatives tells a more troubling story. Kentucky's community and technical colleges are producing business graduates who earn $37,000-$44,000 while carrying debt loads of just $16,000 on average. That's higher earnings with significantly less financial burden.

For a parent, this comes down to a simple calculus: you're looking at potentially $10,000 more in borrowing than the state norm for similar or better employment outcomes. With 25 programs across Kentucky offering this degree, many at public institutions with lower costs and comparable or superior results, the estimated financial profile here suggests exploring those alternatives first—especially when serving a predominantly low-income student body where every dollar of debt carries real weight.