Business Administration, Management and Operations at City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College

In Illinois, business administration associate's degrees produce a wide range of outcomes, with some community colleges showing first-year earnings approaching $60,000 while others cluster in the low $40,000s. Based on comparable programs across the state, Olive-Harvey graduates likely fall somewhere in the middle of this distribution—earning around $43,700 in their first year, which matches the state median but trails stronger performers like Harper College by roughly $16,000.

The estimated debt load of $12,000 creates a manageable 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly three months of their first year's salary. That's considerably better than the typical business associate's degree nationally, where median debt reaches nearly $14,000 against lower earnings of just $34,000. The relatively light debt burden matters for a two-year credential, especially at a school where nearly a third of students receive Pell grants and may be working while enrolled.

The key uncertainty here is whether Olive-Harvey's outcomes track closer to the state median or fall below it. Without actual graduate data, parents should investigate what distinguishes higher-earning programs in the Chicago area—whether it's employer partnerships, internship access, or specific skill training—and whether Olive-Harvey offers similar advantages. If it performs at the state average, the program offers solid value; if it lags, that $16,000 earnings gap compared to top programs could add up quickly.