Business Administration, Management and Operations at United Tribes Technical College

The estimated debt load here—$24,219 for an associate's degree—deserves attention, especially when peer programs in North Dakota typically carry around $14,762 in debt and the national median sits at $13,980. That's nearly $10,000 more than comparable programs, which matters significantly when estimated first-year earnings of $36,138 align with the state median for business management associate's degrees. While the 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, it means graduates are likely starting with nearly eight months of gross salary in debt, compared to roughly four months for typical programs in this field.

The earnings picture itself looks more reasonable—similar business programs across North Dakota produce outcomes ranging from about $31,600 to $43,700, placing this estimate solidly in the middle. For a college serving a predominantly Pell-eligible student body, that alignment with state benchmarks matters. However, the higher debt burden transforms what might otherwise be a straightforward community college value proposition into something more complex. That extra $10,000 in loans will cost real money over the repayment period.

Before committing, request information directly from United Tribes about typical graduate outcomes and understand why their debt levels might differ from other North Dakota programs. The school may offer specialized support or longer completion times that explain the gap, but families need to know whether this particular program justifies carrying substantially more debt than alternatives across the state.