Business Operations Support and Assistant Services at Rasmussen University-Kansas

At first glance, Rasmussen's business certificate appears to dramatically outperform national competitors—those $32,345 first-year earnings place graduates at the 95th percentile nationally, well above the typical $25,094. But zoom in on Kansas, and the picture shifts: this program sits at the median for the state, suggesting Kansas business certificate holders generally earn more than their national peers, regardless of which school they attend.

The debt load of $16,722 is concerning. While it's only half a year's salary, it's nearly double the national median of $9,500 for this credential. For a certificate program that should take less than a year to complete, that's a significant financial burden. The earnings bump from year one to year four is minimal—just $1,255 over three years—which means that debt will take longer to shake off than you'd hope.

Here's the critical caveat: fewer than 30 students contributed to this data, so these numbers could swing dramatically with just a few outliers. For a family considering this program, the question is whether a $16,722 investment for mid-$30k earnings makes sense when Kansas community colleges may offer similar outcomes at lower cost. If your child already has connections in Topeka business circles or needs the flexibility of Rasmussen's online format, it could work—but verify current costs and outcomes before committing.