Business Administration, Management and Operations at Utah Valley University

Utah Valley University's business administration associate degree shows promising earnings growth, though the limited sample size means these numbers may not be typical. Graduates start at $37,285—already above the national median for this program—and see their income jump 69% to $62,824 by year four. That's a significant trajectory that puts them comfortably ahead of the $34,000 national benchmark and right at Utah's median for similar programs.

The $14,250 in debt sits at the national midpoint for business associate degrees, translating to a manageable 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio. Within four years, graduates are earning 4.4 times their debt load, which creates meaningful financial breathing room. The strong earnings growth suggests graduates either continue their education or successfully leverage the degree into better positions relatively quickly.

The main caveat is that fewer than 30 students were tracked, so your child's experience could differ significantly. However, for families seeking an affordable entry into business—particularly those staying in Utah where job prospects for associate-level business grads appear solid—this program offers a reasonable starting point with relatively low financial risk.