Business/Commerce at Collin County Community College District

Collin County's business associate's program sits in the middle of Texas offerings—60th percentile for earnings—but stands out for remarkably low debt. With just $5,842 in median borrowing, this program carries less than half the state median and ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for affordability. For families prioritizing minimal debt while their student tests the waters in business, that's a significant advantage.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story: graduates start at $33,937 but see a 54% jump to $52,151 by year four. That growth suggests students are landing in roles with real advancement potential, though first-year earnings trail both national and state medians. The debt burden is so light that even early-career earnings comfortably cover it—the 0.17 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about two months of gross income.

One important caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary more than these numbers suggest. Still, the fundamental equation here favors risk-averse families—your student gets into the business field at minimal financial cost, with room to grow earnings or transfer to a four-year program without being weighed down by debt. For a low-risk entry point into business careers, that's hard to beat.