Business/Commerce at Bryant & Stratton College-Albany

Bryant & Stratton College-Albany's business associate's degree sits right at New York's median for earnings—$30,059 after one year—but that state benchmark tells a difficult story. While this places the program at the 60th percentile among New York's 21 business programs, it lands in just the 22nd percentile nationally, nearly $6,500 below what graduates typically earn from similar programs across the country. The debt load of $24,509, though below the 75th percentile nationally, creates a concerning ratio when paired with these modest earnings: graduates owe 82% of their first year's salary.

The program serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population (65%), and while the earnings remain stable rather than declining, the minimal growth over four years—just $589—suggests limited career advancement. New York's business associate's degrees as a whole appear to underperform the national market, making this program's positioning within the state less reassuring than it might initially seem.

For families weighing this investment, the math is straightforward: expect to finance nearly a year's salary in debt for earnings that lag significantly behind national norms. Unless staying in the Albany area offers specific advantages—connections, family support, lower living costs—families should explore whether programs in other states or different credential paths might deliver stronger returns for the same tuition investment.