Business Operations Support and Assistant Services at Rasmussen University-Minnesota

This program's numbers look impressive at first glance—$32,345 in first-year earnings puts it in the 95th percentile nationally for business operations certificates. That's nearly $7,000 above what graduates at most schools earn. However, the picture changes when you zoom in to Minnesota: these same earnings hit exactly the state median, meaning half of similar programs in-state deliver identical or better results. The 60th percentile ranking confirms this program performs respectably but not exceptionally within Minnesota's competitive landscape.

The debt load of $16,722 is worth examining closely. While the 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable payments, this figure sits at the higher end compared to the national median debt of $9,500 for this credential. Given that Minnesota's median debt for this program matches Rasmussen's exactly, the state norm appears to be higher borrowing across the board—but that doesn't make it less of a burden for a certificate program with modest earning potential.

The critical caveat: this analysis draws from fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift significantly with a larger sample. For families considering this route, the question becomes whether a $16,722 investment makes sense for earnings that hover around $33,000 and grow minimally over four years. If your child can access similar programs in Minnesota with lower debt loads, that comparison deserves serious attention.