Analysis
A business associate's degree at UNH comes with an estimated $11,000 in debt—lighter than the national median of $13,437 for similar programs—paired with first-year earnings projections around $36,600 based on comparable programs nationwide. By year four, actual reported earnings jump to nearly $44,000, suggesting steady early-career progression. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30 falls comfortably into manageable territory, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off loans in about four months of gross income.
The challenge here is limited visibility. New Hampshire only has three schools offering business associate's degrees, and none report actual earnings data publicly, so we're relying entirely on national patterns rather than state-specific outcomes. UNH's relatively high admission rate and above-average SAT scores suggest a respectable baseline, but without concrete data on this program's specific placement rates or employer connections in New Hampshire's economy, you're making an educated guess rather than an informed bet.
For families prioritizing low debt and a clear path to bachelor's degree completion at UNH, this could work as an affordable entry point. But if your student plans to stop at the associate's level, probe hard about job placement specifics and whether local employers value a two-year business degree from a four-year institution—that's where the estimated figures will either hold up or fall short in practice.
Where University of New Hampshire-Main Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce associates's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | — | $43,938 | — |
| Thomas More University | $83,571 | $68,202 | -18% |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global | $49,463 | $54,966 | +11% |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion | $49,463 | $54,966 | +11% |
| Salt Lake Community College | $43,359 | $53,497 | +23% |
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Business/Commerce associates's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $19,112 | $36,591* | $43,938 | $11,000* | — | |
| $38,400 | $83,571* | $68,202 | $49,185* | 0.59 | |
| $7,630 | $62,409* | $44,964 | $12,500* | 0.20 | |
| $23,324 | $49,530* | $48,012 | $31,338* | 0.63 | |
| $31,168 | $49,463* | $54,966 | $25,149* | 0.51 | |
| $8,216 | $49,463* | $54,966 | $25,149* | 0.51 | |
| National Median | — | $36,591* | — | $13,437* | 0.37 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates
Sales Managers
Industrial Production Managers
Quality Control Systems Managers
Geothermal Production Managers
Biofuels Production Managers
Biomass Power Plant Managers
Hydroelectric Production Managers
Construction Managers
Administrative Services Managers
Facilities Managers
Security Managers
Chief Executives
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of New Hampshire-Main Campus, approximately 18% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 124 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.