Business/Commerce at Eastern Nazarene College

An estimated $24,509 in debt for an associate degree in business positions you uncomfortably above both state and national norms—Massachusetts business programs typically see graduates leaving with just $9,250 in debt, less than half what this program appears to cost. Meanwhile, the estimated first-year earnings of around $39,200, based on four comparable Massachusetts programs, fall right in line with the state median but offer little cushion against that higher debt load.

The comparison to Massachusetts community colleges is particularly stark. Schools like Mount Wachusett and Quinsigamond place their business graduates into jobs paying over $42,000 with dramatically lower debt burdens. Even if Eastern Nazarene's actual outcomes beat these estimates, you're starting from a position where the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 means nearly eight months of gross income would go toward loan repayment—a manageable but not comfortable scenario for an entry-level business graduate.

The fundamental question is whether a private college associate degree justifies nearly triple the typical Massachusetts debt load for roughly equivalent earnings potential. Unless your child has compelling reasons to attend this specific institution—location, faith-based environment, or a clear transfer path to a bachelor's program—the community college alternatives offer a far more straightforward value proposition with proven outcomes.