Business/Commerce at Spokane Community College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 suggests manageable borrowing, though both figures here come from peer programs—earnings from the national median and debt from Washington state community colleges. The estimated $11,500 in debt sits below the national benchmark of $13,437, while first-year earnings of roughly $36,600 align with typical outcomes for associate-level business programs nationwide.

The four-year earnings figure of $45,928 is actual data for this program and provides some reassurance about wage growth potential. That jump from $36,600 to nearly $46,000 suggests meaningful career progression, though it's worth noting that Washington's business programs typically start stronger—the state median is around $40,600 in year one. If this program follows the pattern of similar Washington community colleges like Tacoma and Clark, where graduates earn in the low $40,000s right out of the gate, the estimated first-year figure may be conservative.

For families weighing this program, the relatively modest debt paired with actual evidence of rising earnings by year four makes this a reasonably safe bet among two-year business credentials. The uncertainty around initial outcomes matters less when you see graduates earning nearly $46,000 within four years—that trajectory suggests the credential has traction in the local job market, even if we can't confirm exactly where graduates start.