Business Administration, Management and Operations at Joliet Junior College

Joliet Junior College's business associate degree produces first-year earnings of $39,887—solid performance that ranks in the top quarter nationally but middle-of-the-pack within Illinois. The estimated $12,000 debt burden translates to a manageable 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly 3.6 months of their first-year salary, below the national median for this program type.

The challenge lies in Illinois' competitive landscape. Harper College graduates earn $60,000 in their first year, while College of DuPage hits $46,500—both substantially higher than Joliet's outcomes. Even the state median of $43,736 sits about $4,000 above what Joliet graduates typically earn. Given that the debt figure comes from national patterns rather than Joliet-specific data, the actual borrowing picture remains uncertain, though community college students generally incur less debt than these estimates suggest.

For families considering this program, the fundamentals work: earnings exceed debt by more than three-to-one, and you're getting respectable outcomes relative to the broader national pool of business associate programs. But if location flexibility exists, stronger-performing community colleges nearby could deliver meaningfully higher returns with likely similar costs. The program clears the basic value threshold, though it's not Illinois' standout option.