Business Administration, Management and Operations at Skagit Valley College

In Washington State, business administration associate's programs show considerable variation—top performers like Columbia Basin College see graduates earning over $42,000 in their first year, while others struggle to reach $21,000. Based on comparable programs in the state, Skagit Valley's program sits right at the Washington median of $35,000, suggesting a middle-of-the-road outcome among community college options.

The estimated debt load of $16,084 translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46, meaning graduates would owe roughly five months' worth of their first-year salary. That's manageable by most standards—the national benchmark for this credential sits slightly lower at $13,980, but the Washington state median is nearly identical to Skagit Valley's estimate. For an associate's degree, this level of borrowing typically allows for reasonable repayment within a few years, especially if graduates can secure full-time positions in their field.

The challenge here is uncertainty. These estimates come from peer programs because Skagit Valley's graduate cohort was too small for the Department of Education to publish specific outcomes. That means your child could experience results closer to Columbia Basin's strong earnings or Tacoma Community College's concerning ones—there's simply no track record to assess. If your student can keep borrowing minimal and has solid local employment connections in business administration, the estimated numbers suggest a workable investment. But without actual program data, consider whether transfer to a four-year program or alternative credentials might offer more predictable returns.