Business Administration, Management and Operations at Kankakee Community College

The debt picture here looks manageable—comparable Illinois programs suggest borrowing around $12,000 for this associate's degree, putting the debt-to-earnings ratio at a reasonable 0.27. That's roughly three months of gross pay, which is far from crushing. However, there's an unusual wrinkle in the data: while peer programs in Illinois suggest first-year earnings around $43,700, this program's actual reported fourth-year earnings drop to $37,800. That backward slide is uncommon and worth understanding before committing.

Business administration associate's degrees in Illinois show considerable variation, with top community college programs like Harper and College of DuPage placing graduates at $60,000 and $46,500 respectively. The estimated earnings here land near the state median but well below what some peer institutions achieve. For context, even the national median for this credential sits at $34,000, so Illinois programs generally outperform—but that makes the fourth-year dip more puzzling. It could reflect career pivots, part-time work, or graduates returning to school rather than a fundamental program weakness.

Given the modest debt load, this program won't saddle your child with unmanageable payments. But the declining earnings trajectory warrants a conversation with the college about typical graduate paths. Are students transferring to four-year programs? Working while completing bachelor's degrees? Understanding why earnings drop rather than grow would help determine whether this is a solid stepping stone or might not deliver the career momentum you're hoping for.