Business Administration, Management and Operations at Blackhawk Technical College
Associate's Degree
blackhawk.eduAnalysis
Similar business administration programs across Wisconsin suggest first-year earnings around $40,500, which would put this associate's degree squarely in the middle of the state's technical college offerings. That's roughly $6,500 above the national median for this credential, reflecting Wisconsin's relatively strong market for business graduates. With estimated debt of $15,900, you're looking at a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39—meaning the full debt load equals less than 40% of a year's salary.
The four-year earnings figure of $33,049 complicates the picture somewhat. This dip suggests either that some graduates step back into part-time work or shift careers, or that the alumni counted in year four entered during different economic conditions. It's worth noting that peer Wisconsin programs with reported data—places like Mid-State Technical and Moraine Park Technical—show first-year earnings in the mid-$40,000s, suggesting there's room for variation based on local job markets and individual hustle.
For parents wondering about return on investment, the estimated numbers suggest a two-year business degree that pays for itself within a year if your child lands typical work in the field. The uncertainty here is real—without school-specific data, you're betting on Blackhawk producing outcomes similar to other Wisconsin technical colleges. Given the modest debt load and the program's alignment with state averages, that's a reasonable gamble if your child has clear plans for how they'll use the degree in southeastern Wisconsin's job market.
Where Blackhawk Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all business administration, management and operations associates's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackhawk Technical College | — | $33,049 | — |
| Waukesha County Technical College | $44,016 | $48,039 | +9% |
| Fox Valley Technical College | $39,337 | $45,772 | +16% |
| Rasmussen University-Wisconsin | $43,736 | $45,005 | +3% |
| Western Technical College | $40,548 | $43,716 | +8% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin
Business Administration, Management and Operations associates's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (26 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,170 | $40,482* | $33,049 | $15,897* | — | |
| $4,886 | $47,268* | $38,544 | $16,044* | 0.34 | |
| $4,713 | $46,719* | $41,153 | $13,999* | 0.30 | |
| $4,720 | $44,016* | $48,039 | $18,019* | 0.41 | |
| $11,982 | $43,736* | $45,005 | $25,555* | 0.58 | |
| $5,017 | $43,437* | $43,686 | $18,977* | 0.44 | |
| National Median | — | $33,977* | — | $13,980* | 0.41 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with business administration, management and operations graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Financial Managers
Treasurers and Controllers
Investment Fund Managers
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Compensation and Benefits Managers
Human Resources Managers
Sales Managers
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 Blackhawk Technical College, approximately 36% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 18 similar programs in WI. Actual outcomes may vary.