Business Administration, Management and Operations at University of Maine at Augusta

Business associate's degrees in Maine cluster around $38,000 in first-year earnings, and this program sits right in that range. What's less typical is the estimated $10,050 in debt—roughly $4,000 below the national median for similar programs. That creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26, meaning graduates would owe about three months' worth of their first year's salary, which is manageable by most standards.

The four-year earnings figure of $36,645 actually dips below the first-year estimate, which isn't what you'd hope to see. However, this could reflect the small sample size that triggered data suppression rather than an actual earnings trajectory for this school's graduates. Comparable Maine programs like York County Community College ($40,980) and Northern Maine Community College ($38,076) show stronger outcomes, though it's worth noting those are actual reported figures versus the estimates here.

For families concerned about minimizing debt while pursuing a practical credential, the estimated numbers suggest a reasonable entry point into business fields. The lower debt load particularly matters for students who may need to work while studying or who aren't certain about their career direction yet. Just recognize you're making this decision based on what similar Maine programs produce, not on verified outcomes from UMA's specific graduates in this program.