Business Administration, Management and Operations at Navarro College

Navarro College's associate business program costs less than most—graduates carry $11,250 in debt compared to the Texas median of $16,045—but the earnings numbers tell a more complicated story. At $31,290 one year out, graduates earn about $1,500 below the Texas median and roughly $2,700 below the national average. That puts this program in the bottom half nationally (37th percentile), meaning most similar programs deliver stronger initial returns.

The debt burden itself is manageable at 36% of first-year earnings, and there's solid momentum: earnings jump 19% to $37,297 by year four, approaching the state median. Still, compare these outcomes to Dallas County-area community colleges where business grads earn $42,000+ in their first year, and the gap becomes harder to ignore. The small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates tracked—means these numbers could shift with more data, but right now you're looking at below-average starting pay that takes years to catch up.

For families prioritizing low debt over maximum earning potential, this program delivers on cost control. But if your student can commute to Dallas or Fort Worth, the community colleges there appear to offer substantially better employment outcomes without dramatically higher debt loads.