Business/Commerce (Associate's Degree) at Cecil College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$36,801

Est. from MD median (5 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$10,750

Est. from MD median (7 programs)

Analysis

A $10,750 debt load for an associate's degree represents a manageable financial commitment, particularly when similar business programs in Maryland suggest first-year earnings around $36,800. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 means graduates would owe roughly three months' salary—a threshold most financial advisors consider reasonable for entry-level credentials. The estimated figures here come from peer community colleges across Maryland, where business associate's programs cluster tightly around the national median of $36,600.

What's worth noting is the range among Maryland's community college business programs. Top performers like Hagerstown and Community College of Baltimore County show graduates earning $42,000 or more in their first year, while others fall closer to $29,000. Cecil College's estimated outcomes land squarely in the middle of this pack, neither exceptional nor concerning. For students planning to transfer to a four-year program, this represents a cost-effective foundation. For those entering the workforce directly, the earnings trajectory will depend heavily on local job markets and the specific business skills they develop.

The practical takeaway: this looks like a low-risk investment if your child can complete the degree near the estimated debt level. Community college business programs rarely leave students overleveraged, but the modest earnings ceiling means this credential works best as either a stepping stone to further education or an entry point to fields where advancement comes through experience rather than credentials alone.

Where Cecil College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Maryland

Business/Commerce associates's programs at peer institutions in Maryland (17 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Cecil CollegeNorth East	$5,370	$36,801*	—	$10,750*	—
Strayer University-MarylandSuitland	$13,920	$44,154*	$47,516	$32,810*	0.74
Hagerstown Community CollegeHagerstown	$4,320	$41,970*	$44,478	$12,750*	0.30
Community College of Baltimore CountyBaltimore	$4,380	$36,801*	$44,670	$17,499*	0.48
Frederick Community CollegeFrederick	$3,772	$33,619*	$42,863	$7,062*	0.21
Montgomery CollegeRockville	$5,394	$29,449*	$51,009	$9,250*	0.31
National Median	—	$36,591*	—	$13,437*	0.37

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Cecil College, approximately 26% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 5 similar programs in MD. Actual outcomes may vary.