Business Administration, Management and Operations at Edmonds College

A certificate in Business Administration from Edmonds College comes with estimated costs and earnings that fall close to national norms but reveal a fundamental challenge with this credential type. Based on comparable programs nationwide, graduates typically earn around $39,000 in their first year while carrying roughly $15,000 in debt—a manageable 0.38 ratio that suggests the debt load itself isn't crushing. However, this earning level barely exceeds what many entry-level positions pay without any credential, raising questions about the certificate's return on investment.

The lack of reported data from Edmonds—or from any of the 32 similar programs across Washington—makes it difficult to know whether this particular certificate opens doors that justify its cost. Certificates in business administration often serve as stepping stones for students planning to continue toward associate or bachelor's degrees, where the real earnings potential materializes. As a standalone credential, the estimated $39,000 first-year salary suggests you're paying for training that may not substantially differentiate your child from other job candidates in Washington's competitive business landscape.

If your child plans to stop at the certificate level and enter the workforce immediately, consider whether the debt and time investment makes sense given the modest expected earnings. If this is meant as a foundation for further education, factor in the total cost and timeline to that ultimate degree.