Business Administration, Management and Operations at Walla Walla Community College

Similar business associate's programs in Washington typically produce first-year earnings around $35,000, suggesting this credential lands graduates in entry-level administrative or retail management roles. The estimated $16,000 debt burden—about half of first-year income—sits slightly above both state and national medians for these programs, though it remains manageable compared to many four-year options.

The uncertainty here matters more than usual. With 34 schools offering this program across Washington, outcomes vary dramatically: Columbia Basin's graduates earn nearly double what Tacoma Community College's do. Without actual data from Walla Walla specifically, you're essentially betting that this program performs somewhere in the middle of that range. For comparison, the estimated earnings here match the state median almost exactly, which could mean decent placement—or could simply reflect the statistical averaging used to generate the estimate.

The modest debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 suggests loans should be serviceable if your student lands near these projected earnings. But before committing, contact the career services office directly and ask about actual job placement rates and starting salaries for recent graduates. Where alumni end up working—and in what roles—will tell you far more about this program's value than statewide estimates can.