Business/Commerce at Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College

A nearly $33,000 debt load for an associate's degree is substantial, particularly when similar business programs nationally typically carry half that amount in debt—around $13,400. While first-year earnings estimates based on comparable programs suggest around $36,600, this school's debt burden appears to outpace what's typical for this credential. The 72% Pell grant rate indicates this serves primarily lower-income students, making the debt-to-earnings math even more critical to consider.

Illinois business associate's programs show stronger earning potential than the national average—the state median sits at $43,700, about $7,000 higher than what peer programs nationally produce. If this Rockford program delivers outcomes closer to the Illinois average rather than the national benchmark used for these estimates, the value proposition improves considerably. However, the debt figure here aligns more closely with other Illinois programs (state median of $30,400), suggesting the cost structure may be accurate even if earnings could be higher.

The challenge is that without actual outcome data for this specific program, you're weighing a certain high debt commitment against uncertain earnings potential. For families where $33,000 in debt represents a significant burden, that's a risky bet for a two-year degree. Community colleges offering business programs in Illinois could provide a clearer picture of outcomes with likely lower costs, giving you more concrete information to work with.