Business Administration, Management and Operations at Wilkes Community College

The most troubling aspect of this program isn't the estimated $21,200 debt load—it's what happens after year one. While similar programs across North Carolina suggest first-year earnings around $35,200, this program's actual reported earnings four years out drop to just $25,600. That backward trajectory is unusual and concerning. Most programs see earnings climb as graduates gain experience, not fall by nearly $10,000.

The estimated debt sits about $7,600 above the national median for associate-level business programs, though it's typical for North Carolina community colleges. With peer programs like Catawba Valley and Davidson-Davie producing graduates who earn $41,000+, the gap is significant enough to matter. That difference—roughly $6,000 more per year—would pay down the debt considerably faster and provide substantially more financial breathing room.

The bottom line: something appears off about this program's career outcomes trajectory. Before committing, you need to understand why earnings drop so dramatically by year four. Are graduates working fewer hours? Changing industries? Leaving the workforce? This isn't a typical pattern, and without actual program-specific data, you're making enrollment decisions on borrowed assumptions while facing real debt. Request placement and employment data directly from Wilkes to see if they can explain what's happening to their graduates over time.