Business Administration, Management and Operations at Concordia University Ann Arbor

Michigan's community colleges dominate business associate degrees, with programs like Macomb and Lansing producing graduates earning over $43,000 in their first year—substantially more than the $34,837 that similar programs across the state typically generate. That gap matters when you're carrying $27,750 in debt, nearly double the state median of $14,070 for this credential.

The debt figure is particularly concerning for an associate degree. At peer programs in Michigan, students typically borrow around $14,000—half what this estimate suggests. That difference translates to years of additional loan payments. While the 0.80 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, it's high for a two-year degree, especially when nearby community colleges produce stronger earnings outcomes with dramatically less debt. The national benchmark shows most business administration associate programs carry median debt of just under $14,000, reinforcing that this estimated debt load is unusually steep.

Before committing to this program, get concrete numbers from Concordia's financial aid office about typical borrowing for business students specifically. Then compare those figures directly against what nearby community colleges would cost. If the debt estimate proves accurate, you'd need a compelling non-financial reason—perhaps specific faculty connections or a unique curriculum—to justify paying double the typical amount for earnings that trail the state's community college offerings by $6,000 or more annually.