Business/Commerce at Maranatha Baptist University

With limited data available from similar small private institutions, this associate's degree program carries an estimated $24,509 in debt—nearly double the $13,437 national median for business associate's degrees. That burden matters significantly when first-year earnings from comparable programs hover around $36,591, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 that will require careful financial planning.

The single comparable program in Wisconsin, Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa, reports actual earnings of just $30,059—about $6,500 less than the national estimate used here. If Maranatha's outcomes follow regional patterns rather than national ones, graduates would face a tougher payoff timeline. The debt load becomes particularly concerning for a two-year degree when many Wisconsin technical colleges offer similar business credentials at substantially lower cost.

For families considering this program, the key question is whether Maranatha's specific environment—its 71% admission rate and faith-based mission—justifies both the higher estimated debt and the uncertainty around actual outcomes. The small cohort size that led to data suppression means you're making this decision without seeing how this particular program's graduates actually fare in the job market. At this price point, you need strong reasons beyond the estimates to move forward confidently.