Business/Commerce at Renton Technical College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 suggests this associate's degree could be financially manageable—based on comparable business programs, graduates might face roughly three months of first-year income in student loans. The estimated $11,500 debt load, derived from similar Washington programs, sits below the national median for this credential, which matters when weighing affordability. That said, the estimated $36,591 in first-year earnings falls noticeably short of what similar business programs across Washington typically produce ($40,588), and it trails behind reported outcomes at nearby Tacoma Community and Clark College, both exceeding $40,000.

The gap raises practical questions about curriculum focus or regional employer connections. Washington's business market can be lucrative—associate's programs in the state vary widely—but students here may need to compensate through internships, part-time work experience, or strategic networking to match peers' outcomes. The relatively low Pell grant percentage (18%) suggests this program isn't drawing heavily from lower-income students, which might reflect local demographics or program accessibility concerns.

For parents evaluating this investment: the debt burden appears reasonable, but the earnings trajectory seems sluggish compared to state peers. If your student can access this program at minimal cost or already has industry connections in the Renton area, the risk diminishes. Otherwise, comparable community colleges in Washington show demonstrably stronger early earnings, and that difference compounds quickly over a career.