Business/Commerce at Delgado Community College

Delgado's business associate degree produces first-year earnings of $37,206—outperforming 60% of Louisiana programs and sitting above both state and national medians. That's solid positioning in a crowded field of 559 programs nationwide. The $22,000 debt load is higher than Louisiana's typical $16,676 but still manageable at a 0.59 ratio to first-year earnings.

The catch shows up in year four, when earnings slip to $35,246—a 5% decline that reverses the trajectory most parents expect. While this isn't catastrophic given the low debt burden, it suggests graduates may be hitting wage ceilings in entry-level business roles faster than anticipated. For a community college serving 62% Pell-eligible students, however, the program still delivers above-average initial placement in Louisiana's job market.

The numbers point to a reasonable short-term investment, particularly for students who plan to continue their education or pivot careers within a few years. Just don't expect the earnings momentum to build automatically over time—advancement here will likely require either moving up within an organization or returning for additional credentials.