Business Administration, Management and Operations at Perry Technical Institute

Perry Technical Institute's business program puts students solidly ahead of most Washington competitors while keeping debt lower than the state norm. At $38,071 in first-year earnings, graduates outpace 60% of similar programs statewide—a meaningful advantage in a state with 34 competing associate's programs. The $13,740 in median debt sits well below Washington's $15,928 median for business programs, creating a debt load that's just over one-third of first-year income.

The earnings trajectory deserves attention: graduates earn essentially the same amount four years out as they do immediately after graduation. This stagnation isn't disastrous—the program still outperforms two-thirds of national peers—but it suggests limited advancement opportunities or that many graduates are already near their ceiling right out of the gate. For context, Columbia Basin College's business grads earn about $4,000 more annually, though they may carry different debt levels.

For families prioritizing immediate employability and manageable debt, this program delivers. The financial burden is reasonable, the initial placement appears solid, and nearly half of students receive Pell grants, indicating the school serves working-class families successfully. Just understand that what your child earns in their first job may be close to what they're earning years later—this is a path to stable employment rather than rapid salary growth.