Business/Commerce at Mayville State University

Comparable business associate's programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $36,600 with student debt near $11,000—a 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio that falls well within manageable territory. While we lack specific data for Mayville State's graduates (the small cohort size triggers federal privacy suppressions), these estimates align closely with what North Dakota's other business programs produce. Bismarck State College, the state's only other program with reported outcomes, shows graduates earning $36,062, nearly identical to the national baseline.

The estimated debt load here works in students' favor. At $11,000, it sits about $2,400 below the national median for business associate's degrees, potentially reflecting North Dakota's lower cost structure or Maysville State's pricing. For context, business associate's programs nationally range from lean operations to expensive propositions—the national median debt of $13,437 suggests many students are borrowing more for similar credentials.

The practical reality: an associate's degree in business functions primarily as workforce preparation for supervisory or administrative roles, not executive positions. Earnings around $36,600 won't feel abundant, but monthly loan payments on $11,000 (roughly $120 for ten years) shouldn't strain a graduate's budget. If your child plans to stay in North Dakota and values small-campus familiarity, this estimated profile suggests reasonable value. Just recognize you're making this decision with peer-program data rather than Mayville State's track record—the actual outcomes could vary.