Business Administration, Management and Operations at Mildred Elley School-Albany Campus

The small sample size here is crucial—with under 30 graduates tracked, a few outliers could skew this entire picture. That said, the available data raises real questions about return on investment. Graduates earn roughly $29,000 initially, then see earnings dip to $28,000 by year four, while carrying $25,000 in debt. That's nearly double the state median debt for associate's business programs in New York and means spending almost a full year's salary just to pay off school.

Context matters: this ranks at the 40th percentile among New York business programs, meaning 60% of similar programs in the state deliver better outcomes. Compare this to Hudson Valley Community College graduates earning $38,000 or Monroe Community College at $36,500—both substantially higher with likely lower debt loads. Even the state median of $29,658 edges out Mildred Elley's numbers. The 80% Pell grant rate indicates the school serves students who need financial aid most, making the high debt burden particularly concerning.

For families comparing options, community colleges across New York consistently show stronger earnings with less debt for the same associate's degree in business. Unless there's a compelling reason specific to Mildred Elley's program—like location convenience or specialized support services—the numbers suggest looking elsewhere. The combination of below-average earnings, above-average debt, and negative earnings growth creates a difficult financial starting point for graduates.