Business Administration, Management and Operations at Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 looks manageable on paper, but the devil is in the details here. Both the $39,085 first-year salary and $14,816 debt figures are national estimates—Cossatot's actual graduate sample was too small to report. That matters because Arkansas business programs typically produce better outcomes: the state median shows $47,708 in earnings, suggesting graduates here might be entering a local market that outperforms the national average for certificate programs. However, Arkansas programs also carry nearly double the debt load at $29,535 statewide, which would push the ratio into more concerning territory if that pattern holds at Cossatot.

The fundamental question is whether a certificate delivers enough credential value in Arkansas business markets. With 35% of students receiving Pell grants, affordability matters, and keeping debt under $15,000 would be crucial. But if this program follows state patterns rather than national ones—higher earnings but also substantially higher debt—the value proposition changes significantly. A certificate that costs $30,000 and still produces sub-$50,000 salaries would be harder to justify.

Before committing, get specifics directly from Cossatot about actual graduate outcomes and typical debt loads for completers. The estimated figures suggest a workable scenario, but the wide gulf between state and national benchmarks means the reality could swing either direction substantially.