Business Administration, Management and Operations at Brunswick Community College

A debt load of $21,232 for an associate's degree is substantial—notably higher than the $14,000 national median for business programs at this level and among the highest in North Carolina. Based on comparable business programs across the state, first-year earnings typically land around $35,246, which puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.60. While that's technically manageable under standard repayment advice (keep borrowing below your expected first-year salary), it means dedicating roughly 11% of pre-tax income to loan payments for a decade.

What makes this picture more concerning is that several North Carolina community colleges with reported outcomes show their business graduates earning $38,000 to $41,000 in year one—suggesting Brunswick's estimated trajectory may be on the lower end of what's achievable in the state. At a school where a third of students qualify for Pell grants, that debt burden hits harder. The uncertainty here cuts both ways: actual outcomes could be better or worse than these state-based estimates, but starting with over $21,000 in debt for a two-year degree leaves little margin for error. If your child has lower-cost options—whether through reduced borrowing at Brunswick or attending a program with stronger reported earnings—those alternatives deserve serious consideration before committing.