Business Administration, Management and Operations at Great Basin College

First-year earnings of $64,807 place this program near the top nationally for business degrees, outperforming 95% of similar programs across the country and exceeding Nevada's median by over $12,000. These graduates earn substantially more than peers from University of Phoenix-Nevada ($58,268) or even DeVry ($55,102), suggesting Great Basin's program connects effectively with Nevada's regional economy. With debt estimated around $19,677 based on comparable programs in Nevada, the 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable—graduates would need roughly four months of gross earnings to cover what they borrowed.

The concerning element is the earnings trajectory: by year four, median pay drops to $59,273, an 8% decline that's unusual for business graduates who typically see steady growth. This could reflect rural Nevada's economic patterns, job turnover as graduates seek opportunities elsewhere, or the small graduate cohort creating statistical noise. It's worth noting the actual graduate pool is too small for the Department of Education to publish specific debt figures for this program, so we're relying on state averages.

For families considering this program, the strong starting position matters more than the uncertain trajectory. Even if earnings plateau or dip slightly, the low debt burden and high initial earnings create financial flexibility that many business programs don't offer. The risk is whether those initial opportunities remain stable in Elko's economy.