Business Administration, Management and Operations at Des Moines Area Community College

Des Moines Area Community College's business associate degree lands you squarely in the middle nationally but trails other Iowa options—a meaningful distinction if you're staying in-state. At $35,852 after one year, graduates earn above the national median but fall below Iowa's state median of $37,385, ranking in just the 40th percentile among Iowa programs. Kirkwood Community College and Upper Iowa University both deliver stronger starting earnings, which matters if your child plans to work locally after graduation.

The debt picture offers a genuine advantage: $10,811 is less than half of Iowa's typical $19,000 for this degree and well below the national median. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30, most graduates could reasonably pay this off within a year of aggressive payments. That's a concrete benefit of the community college model.

The flat earnings trajectory—just $871 growth over four years—suggests this degree opens doors to entry-level positions without much immediate upward mobility. You're essentially buying career access at a reasonable price rather than fast income growth. If your child needs an affordable credential to enter business operations or plans to transfer credits toward a bachelor's, this works. If they're looking for strong Iowa-specific outcomes or rapid salary progression, the data suggests exploring Kirkwood or a four-year program instead.