Business Administration, Management and Operations at Bryan University

A $24,841 debt load for an associate's degree in business is nearly double the national median for this program, and that figure comes from comparisons with similar Arizona schools since Bryan University's own graduate pool is too small to report publicly. The estimated $42,749 in first-year earnings—drawn from five comparable Arizona programs—sits right at the state median, which tells you this is typical performance for the market but nothing exceptional.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 means graduates would owe roughly seven months' salary, which is manageable compared to some programs but becomes less appealing when you consider that nationally, most business associate's programs carry half the debt burden. With three-quarters of Bryan students receiving Pell grants, the financial stakes are particularly high for a student body that likely has limited resources to absorb repayment struggles. Phoenix College graduates in this same field are earning an estimated $56,000—about $13,000 more annually—which compounds the concern about value here.

The fundamental challenge is that you're being asked to commit to above-average debt based on earnings projections from peer schools, not Bryan's actual track record with graduates. Unless there's something specific about Bryan's career services or employer connections that would justify the premium, this looks like a program where students are paying more for similar outcomes they could find elsewhere in Arizona.