Business/Commerce at Montgomery College

Montgomery College's business associate's degree shows a concerning start but dramatic improvement over time, though you should be cautious about the small sample size here. First-year earnings of $29,449 fall well below both Maryland's median ($36,801) and the national benchmark ($36,591), placing this program in just the 25th percentile statewide. Among Maryland's 17 business programs, several community colleges—including Hagerstown and Baltimore County—deliver significantly stronger initial outcomes.

The compelling part is the trajectory: earnings jump 73% by year four to $51,009, ultimately surpassing state and national medians. The debt load of $9,250 is manageable enough that the initial earnings struggle doesn't create a financial crisis. However, this pattern raises questions about why graduates start so far behind peers. Are students taking longer to find relevant work? Does the program prepare them for entry-level positions that others secure more quickly?

With fewer than 30 graduates in this data, these numbers could swing dramatically year to year. If your child is considering Montgomery College for cost reasons—and given that low debt load, that's sensible—understand they may face a slower launch than peers at other Maryland community colleges. The eventual earnings catch-up is encouraging, but that first year or two could be financially tight.