Business/Commerce at North Arkansas College

North Arkansas College's business associate's delivers lower earnings than most comparable programs, but at least the debt burden is manageable. At around $30,600 in the first year, graduates earn about $6,000 less than the national median for business associate's degrees and nearly $2,000 below Arkansas's state median. Among Arkansas's 23 programs, this ranks near the 40th percentile—meaning six in-state alternatives offer better outcomes, including Cossatot Community College ($36,800) and University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College ($32,780).

The bigger concern is the earnings trajectory: graduates actually see income drop 5% by year four, suggesting limited advancement opportunities. At $10,095, the debt load sits below both state and national medians, which keeps the monthly payments reasonable—but lower debt doesn't compensate for persistently weak earnings. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 means debt equals about four months of first-year salary, which is workable, but you're still financing an education that underperforms alternatives your child could access in-state.

For families considering this program, the question is whether the convenience or specific offerings justify accepting below-average outcomes. If your child can access Cossatot or UA-Pulaski Tech instead, they're likely looking at $2,000-$6,000 more in annual earnings with similar debt—a meaningful difference that compounds over a career.