Business Administration, Management and Operations at McLennan Community College

A $12,277 debt load for a short-term business credential is manageable, but the earnings trajectory here raises questions. First-year earnings from comparable Texas programs suggest around $38,000, which drops to $33,715 by year four—an unusual decline that could reflect graduates moving into part-time work, leaving the field, or facing limited advancement without further education. For context, similar programs at Dallas College and Tarrant County produce graduates earning $47,000-$38,000, suggesting McLennan's outcomes may lag behind stronger regional competitors.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 means graduates would owe roughly four months' salary, which is workable if the credential leads to stable employment. However, the downward earnings trend between years one and four is atypical for business credentials and suggests this certificate alone may not provide a strong career foundation. With 39% of students receiving Pell grants, affordability matters—and at under $13,000 in debt, the financial risk is contained. Still, parents should consider whether this certificate serves as a stepping stone to an associate or bachelor's degree, where business credentials typically show stronger returns, or if their student would be better served starting at one of the higher-earning community colleges in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that report clearer upward earnings trajectories.