Business/Commerce at Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas

Cossatot's business associate degree produces first-year earnings of $36,808—solidly above Arkansas's typical $32,334 for similar programs and nearly matching the national median. While debt figures here are estimated from comparable Arkansas programs at around $10,095, this would put the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.27, meaningfully below both the state median of $10,704 and especially the national median of $13,437 for business associate degrees.

The earnings outcome places Cossatot in respectable company among Arkansas community colleges offering business programs, though it trails specialized programs like Strayer's $44,154. What matters more is the practical picture: if the estimated debt holds, graduates would owe roughly three months of their first-year salary—a manageable burden that shouldn't derail early career goals or delay other financial milestones.

The wildcard is that actual debt for Cossatot graduates could vary from these state-based estimates. Still, the school serves a substantial number of Pell-eligible students (35%), suggesting an emphasis on access rather than loading students with excessive borrowing. If your child can complete this program near the estimated debt level while taking advantage of Arkansas's relatively affordable community college system, the combination of reasonable earnings and modest debt makes this a practical entry point into business careers.