Business/Commerce at Shoreline Community College

Business programs in Washington typically outperform the national average, with the state median at $40,588 compared to $36,591 nationally. Based on comparable programs across the country, Shoreline's estimated first-year earnings of $36,591 fall short of what similar Washington programs deliver—neighboring community colleges like Tacoma and Clark report outcomes above $40,000. This $4,000 gap may not sound dramatic, but it's meaningful when you're starting your career and managing debt.

The estimated debt load of $11,500 matches the Washington state median for associate business programs and sits below the national figure of $13,437. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31, graduates would theoretically owe about four months' salary—a manageable burden if the earnings estimate holds true. However, the combination of below-state-average earnings and median debt creates a narrower margin for financial security than programs at peer institutions.

The reality is we're working with estimates here because Shoreline's graduate cohort was too small to report actual outcomes. What this tells you: if your child enrolls, they'd be entering a program without a proven track record of graduate success data. For an associate degree that's meant to launch a career quickly, consider whether schools with documented stronger earnings—and they exist nearby—might offer more certainty for your investment.