Business Administration, Management and Operations at Clark College

Clark College's business program produces mixed results that deserve scrutiny from Washington families. Graduates earn $48,159 one year out—above the national median but actually below the typical Washington business grad, who makes $49,004. Among the state's 37 business programs, this lands in just the 40th percentile, meaning six out of ten in-state alternatives produce better outcomes.

The debt burden tells a similar story. At $23,274, graduates carry more than the Washington median ($20,959) despite earning less, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48. That's manageable but not impressive—it means nearly half a year's salary goes toward debt. Compare this to top performers in the state: City University of Seattle grads earn $79,592, while even regional competitors like Olympic College produce $58,058 earners.

For a community college transitioning into bachelor's degrees, Clark delivers baseline competence—graduates avoid catastrophic debt and earn slightly above national norms. But Washington families should ask why they'd settle for 40th percentile results in-state when better options exist at similar price points. If affordability is the draw, ensure you're comparing total costs, not just sticker price. Clark works for students with specific geographic constraints, but it's not the value leader many assume community college pathways to be.