Business Administration, Management and Operations at Portland Community College

Portland Community College's business administration associate's degree starts strong but shows an unusual earnings pattern that deserves scrutiny. First-year graduates earn $44,172—well above the national median of $33,977 and landing in the 94th percentile nationally. However, by year four, earnings drop to $41,283, a 6% decline that runs counter to typical career progression.

This earnings trajectory is particularly puzzling given the program's otherwise solid fundamentals. At $15,273, the debt load is reasonable—you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.35, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in four months of gross earnings. Within Oregon, the program sits at the 60th percentile for earnings, indicating it's competitive but not exceptional among the state's 21 similar programs.

The decline in earnings over time could reflect several factors: graduates moving into different roles, regional economic shifts in Portland's job market, or the specific cohorts tracked. With a moderate sample size, there's some statistical noise to consider. Still, if your child wants an affordable entry point into business and plans to work immediately after graduation, this program delivers strong initial returns. Just be prepared to help them strategize about continuing education or career pivots if they want to maintain upward momentum beyond those first few years.