Business Administration, Management and Operations at Cochise County Community College District

Similar business programs in Arizona produce first-year earnings around $42,700, well above the national median of $34,000 for associate's in this field. What makes this estimate more credible is the four-year earnings data actually reported for Cochise graduates: $41,100, suggesting relatively stable income rather than a sharp drop-off after the initial year. For a community college program serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients, these figures align with stronger Arizona programs rather than lagging behind them.

The estimated debt of $8,900 creates a favorable scenario—less than three months of first-year earnings and significantly below both the state median of $24,400 and national median of $14,000. This debt load, if accurate, would be manageable even if actual earnings came in somewhat lower than peer programs suggest. The comparison to Phoenix College graduates earning $56,000 shows there's significant variation in outcomes across Arizona, but Cochise's estimated profile sits comfortably in the middle tier.

For parents weighing a business degree close to home versus alternatives, the numbers suggest reasonable value if your student plans to work in Arizona, where business associate's holders appear to command stronger wages than the national average. The key uncertainty is whether Cochise's actual outcomes match those of comparable programs—but the low estimated debt means even modest earnings would make this investment workable.