Business Administration, Management and Operations at Odessa College

Odessa College graduates this associate's program with remarkably low debt—just $7,097, a fraction of what students pay at other Texas schools where the median is $16,045. That financial advantage is real, though you should know these numbers come from a small sample of fewer than 30 graduates, making them less reliable than data from larger programs.

The earnings trajectory tells a positive story. Starting at $35,507, graduates see their income grow 20% to $42,548 by year four, placing them above the Texas median and ahead of 60% of similar programs statewide. That four-year mark actually matches what Dallas College graduates earn, one of the stronger community college programs in the state, but without the higher debt burden. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20 means graduates owe less than three months of their first-year salary—manageable by any measure.

For a family considering community college business programs in West Texas, Odessa offers a genuine value equation: below-average debt paired with above-average earnings growth. The main caveat is that small sample size—if your student would be among the few dozen graduates annually, individual outcomes could vary more than usual. But the fundamentals of low borrowing and decent post-graduation wages make this a solid stepping stone into business careers or further education.