Business/Commerce at Olympic College

With just $8,870 in debt—well below what similar programs typically require—Olympic College's business associate's degree starts with a financial advantage. While first-year earnings around $36,600 are drawn from national peer programs rather than Olympic's specific graduates, the debt burden here is roughly $2,600 less than the Washington state median and nearly $4,600 less than what similar programs nationwide typically produce. That 0.24 debt-to-earnings ratio matters: a graduate earning in line with comparable programs could theoretically pay off this debt in under three months of gross income.

The trade-off is that comparable Washington business programs suggest earnings closer to $40,600, about $4,000 more than the national benchmark used here. Nearby Tacoma Community College and Clark College report actual outcomes around that higher figure. If Olympic's graduates perform closer to state norms than national ones, the value proposition strengthens considerably. But even at the conservative national estimate, the low debt keeps this program accessible.

For parents, the key is understanding that while we can't see Olympic's specific graduate outcomes, the financial risk is contained. The modest debt load means even if career momentum builds slowly, the burden won't compound. Given that only 16% of students receive Pell grants—suggesting a more financially stable student body overall—this appears positioned as a low-risk credential worth pursuing, particularly for students who need flexibility or plan to transfer to a four-year program.