Business Administration, Management and Operations at Laurus College

The four-year earnings figure of $19,458 is the number that demands attention here—it's dramatically lower than the estimated first-year earnings of $39,000 based on peer programs, suggesting graduates may struggle to maintain momentum after their initial job placement. While comparable business administration certificate programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $39,000, and California programs typically produce stronger outcomes at $52,633, there's a troubling disconnect when actual data becomes available for this school's graduates several years out. For a program serving predominantly lower-income students (67% receive Pell grants), that sharp decline raises real questions about whether early jobs lead to sustainable careers.

The estimated debt burden of about $13,000 would be reasonable if graduates maintained earnings trajectories similar to other California programs. But when fourth-year earnings drop to less than $20,000—below what many full-time minimum wage positions offer in California—the financial picture becomes precarious. This isn't about the debt load being unmanageable in theory; it's about what happens when the career pathway doesn't materialize as expected. Parents should recognize that while peer programs suggest this credential can launch business careers, this specific program's only concrete outcome—that fourth-year earnings figure—tells a very different story about where graduates actually end up.