Business Administration, Management and Operations at Miller-Motte College-Jacksonville

This program's graduates earn roughly $10,000 less annually than typical North Carolina business associate's degree holders—placing it in just the 10th percentile statewide. Meanwhile, students take on $30,649 in debt, more than double the state median of $21,532 for similar programs. When nearby community colleges like Catawba Valley and Davidson-Davie are producing graduates who earn $41,000+ with likely lower debt loads, the value gap becomes stark. The first-year salary of $23,907 barely exceeds what many retail managers earn without a degree.

The 11% earnings growth over four years shows some improvement, but even at $26,516 four years out, graduates remain far below the statewide median. With debt 1.28 times that first year's salary, students face nearly six years of payments assuming standard repayment terms—a substantial burden when peers from North Carolina's community college system are earning 50% more with half the debt. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates confirms these aren't statistical flukes.

For families considering this program, the math is troubling. North Carolina offers 63 business associate's programs, and this ranks near the bottom for outcomes while charging among the highest debt loads. Unless there are compelling geographic or personal circumstances, exploring alternative NC business programs would likely deliver better financial returns.