Business Administration, Management and Operations at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College

The standout story here is the 86% earnings jump from year one to year four—among the strongest growth patterns you'll see for an associate's degree. While graduates start at just $27,116 (well below Oklahoma's $33,084 median for this program), they reach $50,469 by year four, which actually surpasses most comparable programs in the state. That said, the extremely small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could swing dramatically year to year, and the low first-year earnings place this program in the bottom quarter statewide.

The debt picture is manageable at $11,000—about $2,000 below the state average—which translates to a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio even with those modest starting salaries. The question is whether your child can weather that first year or two of below-average pay. With 52% of students qualifying for Pell grants, Northeastern clearly serves a population that may need income immediately after graduation, which makes that slow start a real consideration.

If your child has financial cushion and can afford to wait for earnings to ramp up, the four-year outcome looks competitive. But if they need solid income right away, programs like Murray State or Northern Oklahoma College deliver $9,000-10,000 more in that critical first year. Just remember: with this small a graduating class, you're looking at a blurry snapshot rather than a clear picture.