Business Administration, Management and Operations at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College

With earnings around $34,600 that actually slip by graduation year four, this associate's degree falls short of other Kentucky community colleges offering the same program. While Southcentral Kentucky keeps debt reasonable at $17,210—slightly above the state median but not excessive—graduates are earning about $1,200 less than the typical Kentucky business management associate's degree holder. More concerning, nearby programs like Gateway Community and Technical College produce graduates earning $9,000 more annually, suggesting location within Kentucky matters significantly for business program outcomes.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50 means graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary, which is manageable on paper. However, the slight earnings decline over time raises questions about whether this degree opens doors to positions with advancement potential. At 53rd percentile nationally, the program performs middle-of-the-pack compared to similar programs across the country, but ranking in just the 40th percentile among Kentucky schools suggests students might find better options at other state community colleges.

For families prioritizing affordability and credential completion, this program clears a basic bar—graduates aren't buried in debt and do earn more than high school graduates. But if your child has access to other Kentucky community colleges, particularly those in the top tier like Gateway or Elizabethtown, the $4,000-9,000 annual earnings difference would justify exploring those alternatives first.