Business Administration, Management and Operations at Fort Hays Tech North Central

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 suggests reasonable borrowing for this business certificate program, though it's worth remembering these figures come from peer programs nationally rather than Fort Hays Tech's own graduates. Based on comparable certificate programs nationwide, students typically earn around $39,000 in their first year and carry roughly $15,000 in debt—meaning you'd be looking at about 38% of first-year earnings going toward loan repayment. That's manageable compared to many undergraduate credentials, though it's still a meaningful monthly obligation for someone just starting their career.

What's harder to gauge is whether this particular program delivers comparable value to those national benchmarks. With 15 schools offering business administration certificates in Kansas, Fort Hays Tech faces real competition, yet none of these programs have publicly reported outcomes data. The program serves a relatively modest Pell grant population (20%), which might indicate either strong local employment connections or simply a different student demographic than typical certificate seekers. For a short-term credential, the debt load seems proportional to the earning potential, but you'd want to confirm that graduates are actually finding work in their field.

The practical question: can your student secure business employment in north-central Kansas that pays close to $39,000? If they already have connections or employers expressing interest, the numbers work. If they're hoping the certificate alone opens doors, you're taking a leap based on what happens elsewhere, not proven outcomes from this specific program.