Business Administration, Management and Operations at City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College

Kennedy-King College's business management program carries an estimated $12,000 in debt—modest by any measure—but the earnings picture requires looking at comparable Illinois programs to understand the likely outcomes. Similar associate's degree programs across the state suggest first-year earnings around $43,736, which would put graduates well above the national median of $33,977 for this credential. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 is manageable, meaning graduates could potentially pay off their loans within months rather than years if they prioritize repayment.

The challenge is uncertainty. While peer programs in Illinois show a wide range—from Harper College graduates earning nearly $60,000 to others closer to $40,000—Kennedy-King's specific outcomes remain unknown due to small graduate cohorts. The estimates here come from what other Illinois schools report, not what actually happens to Kennedy-King students. Location matters in business, and Chicago's job market could work in graduates' favor, but without school-specific data, you're essentially betting on Kennedy-King performing at least at the state median.

For families where $12,000 in debt is realistic and manageable, this program offers a low-cost entry point into business careers. Just understand you're making that decision based on what similar programs produce, not proven outcomes from this particular school. If Kennedy-King can match the Illinois average, it's solid value. If it underperforms, even modest debt becomes harder to justify.