Business Administration, Management and Operations at Pima Community College

Based on similar associate-level business programs in Arizona, this path appears financially manageable but economically modest. The estimated $42,749 first-year salary matches the state median for this field, while the projected $8,917 debt load sits well below both the Arizona median ($24,431) and national median ($13,980) for business associate degrees. That 0.21 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates from comparable programs can typically pay off their loans without strain.

What's harder to assess is whether Pima's specific outcomes align with these statewide estimates or more closely resemble the higher earnings seen at Phoenix College ($56,057) or lower outcomes at American InterContinental ($29,996). The fact that a third of Pima students receive Pell grants indicates the college serves a population that needs education to translate directly into earnings, making the actual income outcomes particularly important.

The low estimated debt is the clearest advantage here—community college pricing matters. But with business associate degrees, your child's specific career path and whether they plan to transfer for a bachelor's will significantly affect earnings potential. The state benchmark suggests steady but unspectacular wages in year one, which may be sufficient for those entering supervisory or administrative roles but limiting for those with higher expectations.