Est. Earnings (1yr)
$37,927
Est. from TX median (6 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$15,250
Est. from TX median (8 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 suggests a manageable financial picture for this certificate program, though the numbers deserve scrutiny since they're drawn from peer institutions rather than Galveston College's own graduates. Similar business certificate programs across Texas typically produce first-year earnings around $38,000, which aligns with what comparable programs report nationally. The estimated $15,250 in debt sits slightly above the state and national medians for this credential, meaning students here might be borrowing marginally more than their counterparts elsewhere.

The challenge is knowing whether Galveston College performs closer to programs like Dallas College, where graduates earn nearly $47,000, or Amarillo College, where they earn around $34,500. That $13,000 spread makes a significant difference when you're carrying $15,000 in loans. With 42% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on this certificate to deliver immediate financial returns. The estimated figures suggest the program could work financially if outcomes land near the Texas median, but there's real uncertainty about where this specific program falls within that range.

Given the limited data, families should treat this as a moderate-risk investment. The debt level is reasonable for a certificate, but you're making decisions without visibility into how Galveston College's particular graduates fare. Before committing, request job placement rates and employer partnerships directly from the college—concrete employment connections matter more than estimated earnings when the actual outcomes remain unknown.

Where Galveston College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business administration, management and operations certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Business Administration, Management and Operations certificate's programs at peer institutions in Texas (54 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Galveston CollegeGalveston$2,546$37,927*$15,250*
University of Phoenix-TexasDallas$48,528*$65,468$12,928*0.27
Dallas CollegeDallas$2,370$46,874*$43,895$17,452*0.37
Tarrant County College DistrictFort Worth$1,728$38,168*$45,853$16,000*0.42
Lone Star College SystemThe Woodlands$3,090$37,686*$39,226$10,015*0.27
Amarillo CollegeAmarillo$2,136$34,489*$17,500*0.51
National Median$39,085*$14,699*0.38
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business administration, management and operations graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

$140,360/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Human Resources Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

$140,030/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Galveston College, approximately 42% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 6 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.