Business Administration, Management and Operations at Jefferson Community College

The $21,700 starting salary at Jefferson Community College ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally for business associate's degrees—dramatically below both New York's state median of $29,658 and the national average of $33,977. Even among New York programs, this lands in only the 25th percentile. To put that in perspective, graduates at nearby Hudson Valley Community College start at $38,018, while even comparable SUNY community colleges like Mohawk Valley average $35,774. The $11,173 debt load is reasonable and slightly below New York's median, but when paired with such low initial earnings, it creates a challenging first year.

The silver lining is significant earnings growth: graduates see their income jump 69% to $36,756 by year four, which brings them closer to (though still below) typical outcomes for this degree. This suggests the program may serve as a stepping stone for students who need to start working immediately in Watertown's limited job market, then gradually advance their careers. However, starting $15,000 below the national median means playing catch-up for years.

For families in the North Country region where job opportunities are scarce, this program offers an accessible entry point with manageable debt. But if your student can commute to a stronger SUNY community college or has geographic flexibility, they'd likely see substantially better initial returns on their investment.