Management Information Systems and Services at Rasmussen University-North Dakota

Rasmussen's MIS program in North Dakota hits an impressive sweet spot: graduates earn $46,337 right out of the gate while carrying just $27,387 in debt—a 0.59 ratio that's substantially better than most associate degree programs. That first-year salary lands in the 95th percentile nationally for this credential, meaning these graduates outearn peers at nearly every other comparable program across the country. With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, this program appears to be delivering genuine economic mobility to working-class students.

The main limitation here is stagnation—earnings remain essentially flat between year one and year four, suggesting this degree gets you to a solid entry point but may not create much of a career trajectory on its own. That said, many MIS graduates use an associate degree as a stepping stone, either moving into roles where experience matters more than credentials or completing a bachelor's later. The relatively modest debt load means graduates aren't locked into any particular path.

For families concerned about ROI on a two-year degree, this program delivers what it should: quick entry into stable work paying close to $46,000 annually, with debt that's manageable on that salary. The lack of earnings growth is worth noting, but the initial placement alone makes this a defensible choice, particularly for students who need to start earning quickly.