Business/Commerce at Bossier Parish Community College

Bossier Parish's Business associate degree program sits in an uncomfortable middle ground: graduates earn less than most Louisiana community colleges offer, while taking on debt levels that exceed what you'd see at competitor schools across the state. At $31,184 in first-year earnings, graduates make about $5,400 less than students at Delgado Community College—Louisiana's top performer—and fall below the state median of $32,498, landing at just the 40th percentile statewide.

The debt burden tells a more troubling story. While the $24,353 in typical student loans is lower than the national median for business programs, it's significantly higher than Louisiana's state median of $16,676. Compare that to Fletcher Technical Community College, where business graduates earn $5,000 more per year while likely carrying less debt. The 0.78 debt-to-earnings ratio means students borrow nearly 80% of their first year's salary—manageable but not comfortable, especially given the below-average starting point.

The 12% earnings growth over four years offers some optimism, but it doesn't close the competitive gap. For Louisiana families, particularly the 50% receiving Pell grants, this program requires careful consideration. If Bossier Parish is your most convenient option, it can work, but students willing to commute or relocate to Delgado or Fletcher will likely see better financial outcomes for similar effort.