Business Administration, Management and Operations at Coastal Carolina Community College

Based on comparable business associate programs across North Carolina, graduates here would face estimated debt of $21,232—roughly 50% higher than the national median for this credential—while earning around $35,246 in their first year. That debt load puts you close to the state average but significantly above what business students typically borrow nationally, creating a 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable but not exceptional.

The earnings picture tells a more complex story. While the $35,246 estimate aligns with North Carolina's median for business associate degrees, several nearby community colleges report substantially higher outcomes for their graduates—programs at Catawba Valley, Davidson-Davie, and Forsyth Tech all show first-year earnings above $39,000. That $4,000-$6,000 gap matters when you're servicing over $20,000 in loans. Whether these differences reflect local job markets, program quality, or employer relationships is impossible to determine from estimated data alone.

For parents weighing this investment, the core tension is clear: you're looking at above-average debt for middle-of-the-road earnings potential in a state where stronger outcomes appear accessible at peer institutions. The ratio suggests repayment is feasible, but given the uncertainty inherent in these estimates and the stronger reported results elsewhere in North Carolina, this program doesn't stand out as the most compelling option for a business-focused associate degree.