Business Administration, Management and Operations at CUNY LaGuardia Community College

LaGuardia's business associate degree manages to outperform most comparable programs in New York despite starting students at lower earnings than the national average. While first-year graduates earn about $30,000—roughly $4,000 below the national median for this program—they rank in the 60th percentile statewide, meaning they're doing better than most New York peers. More importantly, earnings jump 26% by year four to nearly $38,000, demonstrating genuine career momentum that many associate programs fail to deliver.

The debt picture is where this program truly shines. At $8,250, graduates carry roughly half the debt load of typical business associate programs, both nationally and within New York. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28—well below the concerning 1.0 threshold. For a program serving a significant Pell-eligible population (40%), keeping debt this low while maintaining competitive state-level outcomes represents responsible stewardship.

Your child won't match the earnings of top-tier New York programs like Excelsior or Hudson Valley immediately, but they'll start with minimal debt and clear upward trajectory. For families prioritizing affordability and avoiding the debt trap that derails many community college students, LaGuardia offers a practical entry point into business careers with room to grow.