Business/Commerce at Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa

Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa's business associate's program faces a challenging reality: graduates earn about $6,500 less than the national median for similar programs, landing in just the 22nd percentile nationally. However, the Wisconsin picture tells a different story—this program matches the state median and ranks at the 60th percentile among Wisconsin business associate's programs. With only two schools in the state offering this program, your options are limited if you're determined to stay in-state.

The debt burden of $24,509 is concerning, running nearly double the national median for business associate's degrees. With first-year earnings around $30,000, graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82—meaning they'll owe roughly 10 months of their annual salary. Earnings also remain essentially flat four years out, suggesting limited advancement opportunities. The school serves a predominantly low-income population (57% receive Pell grants), which explains the higher reliance on loans.

For an anxious parent, the key question is whether this degree justifies its cost when graduates earn what many make with a high school diploma. If your child is committed to staying in Wisconsin and needs the credential for career advancement, this may be the practical choice. But if broader options exist—particularly four-year programs or lower-cost community colleges in neighboring states—those routes deserve serious consideration before committing to nearly $25,000 in debt for these earnings outcomes.