Business/Commerce, General: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 223 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$37,337 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
14.9 yrsModeled economic break-even
−33%Modeled 10-year ROI
$52,628Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$52,628Median reported earnings · year 4
$48,456Average reported earnings · year 5
$17,500Median federal debt
60thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
223Reporting programs
219With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $43,651
- Federal debt
- $14,094
- Reporting programs
- 26
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $52,628
- Federal debt
- $17,500
- Reporting programs
- 223
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $65,292
- Federal debt
- $26,290
- Reporting programs
- 293
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $134,050
- Federal debt
- $15,725
- Reporting programs
- 1
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $106,812
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 77
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $107,902
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
First Professional Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $92,953
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $113,127
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 3
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $51,817
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 3
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$44,242National median$52,62875th percentile$59,021
219 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1Thomas More University$83,9592Northern Kentucky University$72,3233Champlain College$70,2964Cascadia College$70,1115Montgomery College$69,4856Raritan Valley Community College$67,1837Truckee Meadows Community College$65,7328Tacoma Community College$65,1309NorthWest Arkansas Community College$64,77810Green River College$64,756Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Administrative Services ManagersSOC 11-3012 · 1 crosswalk linksAppraisers of Personal and Business PropertySOC 13-2022 · 1 crosswalk linksBusiness Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1011 · 1 crosswalk linksChief ExecutivesSOC 11-1011 · 1 crosswalk linksConstruction ManagersSOC 11-9021 · 1 crosswalk linksCost EstimatorsSOC 13-1051 · 1 crosswalk linksEntertainment and Recreation Managers, Except GamblingSOC 11-9072 · 1 crosswalk linksFacilities ManagersSOC 11-3013 · 1 crosswalk linksGeneral and Operations ManagersSOC 11-1021 · 1 crosswalk linksIndustrial Production ManagersSOC 11-3051 · 1 crosswalk linksManagement AnalystsSOC 13-1111 · 1 crosswalk linksManagers, All OtherSOC 11-9199 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thomas More UniversityAssociate's Degree | Crestview Hills, KY | $83,959 | $49,185 | +191% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | Northern Kentucky UniversityAssociate's Degree | Highland Heights, KY | $72,323 | Not available | +157% | Strong payoff |
| 3 | Champlain CollegeAssociate's Degree | Burlington, VT | $70,296 | $24,625 | +56% | Positive payoff |
| 4 | Cascadia CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bothell, WA | $70,111 | Not available | +119% | Strong payoff |
| 5 | Montgomery CollegeAssociate's Degree | Rockville, MD | $69,485 | $9,250 | +131% | Strong payoff |
| 6 | Raritan Valley Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Branchburg, NJ | $67,183 | $8,287 | +114% | Strong payoff |
| 7 | Truckee Meadows Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Reno, NV | $65,732 | $10,000 | +94% | Positive payoff |
| 8 | Tacoma Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Tacoma, WA | $65,130 | $11,500 | +89% | Positive payoff |
| 9 | NorthWest Arkansas Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bentonville, AR | $64,778 | $11,313 | +89% | Positive payoff |
| 10 | Green River CollegeAssociate's Degree | Auburn, WA | $64,756 | Not available | +68% | Positive payoff |
| 11 | Seattle Central CollegeAssociate's Degree | Seattle, WA | $64,128 | Not available | +78% | Positive payoff |
| 12 | Empire State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Saratoga Springs, NY | $63,915 | $12,500 | +67% | Positive payoff |
| 13 | Vincennes UniversityAssociate's Degree | Vincennes, IN | $63,864 | $10,668 | +68% | Positive payoff |
| 14 | Collin County Community College DistrictAssociate's Degree | McKinney, TX | $63,117 | $5,842 | +68% | Positive payoff |
| 15 | Salt Lake Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Salt Lake City, UT | $62,945 | $9,525 | +64% | Positive payoff |
| 16 | DeVry University-ArizonaAssociate's Degree | Phoenix, AZ | $62,848 | $30,444 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 17 | DeVry University-CaliforniaAssociate's Degree | Ontario, CA | $62,848 | $30,444 | +13% | Positive payoff |
| 18 | DeVry University-FloridaAssociate's Degree | Orlando, FL | $62,848 | $30,444 | +20% | Positive payoff |
| 19 | DeVry University-GeorgiaAssociate's Degree | Decatur, GA | $62,848 | $30,444 | +22% | Positive payoff |
| 20 | DeVry University-IllinoisAssociate's Degree | Lisle, IL | $62,848 | $30,444 | +18% | Positive payoff |
| 21 | DeVry University-TexasAssociate's Degree | Irving, TX | $62,848 | $30,444 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 22 | Schoolcraft Community College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Livonia, MI | $62,693 | $9,642 | +87% | Positive payoff |
| 23 | College of Southern MarylandAssociate's Degree | La Plata, MD | $62,074 | $5,500 | +57% | Positive payoff |
| 24 | Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionAssociate's Degree | Marion, IN | $62,059 | $25,149 | +26% | Positive payoff |
| 25 | Indiana Wesleyan University-National & GlobalAssociate's Degree | Marion, IN | $62,059 | $25,149 | +38% | Positive payoff |
| 26 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend CollegeAssociate's Degree | Erie, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +19% | Positive payoff |
| 27 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New KensingtonAssociate's Degree | New Kensington, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +31% | Positive payoff |
| 28 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-BarreAssociate's Degree | Dallas, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +35% | Positive payoff |
| 29 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State ScrantonAssociate's Degree | Dunmore, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +32% | Positive payoff |
| 30 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh ValleyAssociate's Degree | Center Valley, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +31% | Positive payoff |
| 31 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State AltoonaAssociate's Degree | Altoona, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +23% | Positive payoff |
| 32 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BerksAssociate's Degree | Reading, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +20% | Positive payoff |
| 33 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State HarrisburgAssociate's Degree | Middletown, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +21% | Positive payoff |
| 34 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BrandywineAssociate's Degree | Media, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +23% | Positive payoff |
| 35 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBoisAssociate's Degree | DuBois, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +33% | Positive payoff |
| 36 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- EberlyAssociate's Degree | Lemont Furnace, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +39% | Positive payoff |
| 37 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State HazletonAssociate's Degree | Hazleton, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +33% | Positive payoff |
| 38 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusAssociate's Degree | University Park, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +7% | Positive payoff |
| 39 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater AlleghenyAssociate's Degree | McKeesport, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +37% | Positive payoff |
| 40 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont AltoAssociate's Degree | Mont Alto, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +29% | Positive payoff |
| 41 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State AbingtonAssociate's Degree | Abington, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +32% | Positive payoff |
| 42 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State SchuylkillAssociate's Degree | Schuylkill Haven, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +28% | Positive payoff |
| 43 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State YorkAssociate's Degree | York, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +30% | Positive payoff |
| 44 | Pennsylvania State University-World CampusAssociate's Degree | University Park, PA | $61,596 | $19,500 | +29% | Positive payoff |
| 45 | American Public University SystemAssociate's Degree | Charles Town, WV | $61,313 | $21,427 | +49% | Positive payoff |
| 46 | Davenport UniversityAssociate's Degree | Grand Rapids, MI | $61,192 | $31,338 | +29% | Positive payoff |
| 47 | South Puget Sound Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Olympia, WA | $61,110 | $13,570 | +49% | Positive payoff |
| 48 | Northland Community and Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Thief River Falls, MN | $60,724 | $17,500 | +33% | Positive payoff |
| 49 | Montgomery County Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Blue Bell, PA | $60,598 | $11,000 | +39% | Positive payoff |
| 50 | Macomb Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Warren, MI | $60,441 | $10,281 | +66% | Positive payoff |
| 51 | Harford Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bel Air, MD | $60,346 | $10,750 | +41% | Positive payoff |
| 52 | Quinsigamond Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Worcester, MA | $59,139 | $17,500 | +31% | Positive payoff |
| 53 | Strayer University-District of ColumbiaAssociate's Degree | Washington, DC | $59,021 | $32,810 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 54 | Strayer University-VirginiaAssociate's Degree | Arlington, VA | $59,021 | $32,810 | +9% | Positive payoff |
| 55 | Strayer University-MarylandAssociate's Degree | Baltimore, MD | $59,021 | $32,810 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 56 | Strayer University-TennesseeAssociate's Degree | Nashville, TN | $59,021 | $32,810 | +24% | Positive payoff |
| 57 | Strayer University-PennsylvaniaAssociate's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $59,021 | $32,810 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 58 | Strayer University-FloridaAssociate's Degree | Tampa, FL | $59,021 | $32,810 | +15% | Positive payoff |
| 59 | Strayer University-DelawareAssociate's Degree | Wilmington, DE | $59,021 | $32,810 | +4% | Positive payoff |
| 60 | Strayer University-AlabamaAssociate's Degree | Birmingham, AL | $59,021 | $32,810 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 61 | Strayer University-North CarolinaAssociate's Degree | Greensboro, NC | $59,021 | $32,810 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 62 | Strayer University-New JerseyAssociate's Degree | Piscataway, NJ | $59,021 | $32,810 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 63 | Strayer University-West VirginiaAssociate's Degree | Scott Depot, WV | $59,021 | $32,810 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 64 | Strayer University-ArkansasAssociate's Degree | Little Rock, AR | $59,021 | $32,810 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 65 | Strayer University-GeorgiaAssociate's Degree | Chamblee, GA | $59,021 | $32,810 | +11% | Positive payoff |
| 66 | Strayer University-MississippiAssociate's Degree | Jackson, MS | $59,021 | $32,810 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 67 | Strayer University-South CarolinaAssociate's Degree | Greenville, SC | $59,021 | $32,810 | +11% | Positive payoff |
| 68 | Strayer University-TexasAssociate's Degree | Farmers Branch, TX | $59,021 | $32,810 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 69 | Strayer University-Global RegionAssociate's Degree | Washington, DC | $59,021 | $32,810 | +12% | Positive payoff |
| 70 | Prince George's Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Largo, MD | $58,987 | $11,837 | +30% | Positive payoff |
| 71 | Austin Community College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Austin, TX | $58,664 | $12,500 | +33% | Positive payoff |
| 72 | Dallas CollegeAssociate's Degree | Dallas, TX | $58,548 | $10,500 | +40% | Positive payoff |
| 73 | Edmonds CollegeAssociate's Degree | Lynnwood, WA | $58,398 | $11,875 | +20% | Positive payoff |
| 74 | Olympic CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bremerton, WA | $58,325 | $8,870 | +28% | Positive payoff |
| 75 | Passaic County Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Paterson, NJ | $57,807 | $5,500 | +21% | Positive payoff |
| 76 | Anoka-Ramsey Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Coon Rapids, MN | $57,378 | $20,750 | +1% | Positive payoff |
| 77 | Northern Essex Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Haverhill, MA | $57,171 | $10,400 | +19% | Positive payoff |
| 78 | Alvin Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Alvin, TX | $56,349 | $6,417 | +6% | Positive payoff |
| 79 | Clark CollegeAssociate's Degree | Vancouver, WA | $55,676 | $10,441 | -5% | Negative payoff |
| 80 | Mount Wachusett Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Gardner, MA | $55,418 | $9,250 | -2% | Negative payoff |
| 81 | Yakima Valley CollegeAssociate's Degree | Yakima, WA | $55,275 | Not available | -10% | Negative payoff |
| 82 | Mt San Antonio CollegeAssociate's Degree | Walnut, CA | $55,000 | Not available | -3% | Negative payoff |
| 83 | Hagerstown Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Hagerstown, MD | $54,945 | $12,750 | -4% | Negative payoff |
| 84 | College of Western IdahoAssociate's Degree | Nampa, ID | $54,914 | $11,000 | -7% | Negative payoff |
| 85 | Community College of PhiladelphiaAssociate's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $54,793 | $13,437 | -14% | Negative payoff |
| 86 | Rose State CollegeAssociate's Degree | Midwest City, OK | $54,667 | $11,250 | -15% | Negative payoff |
| 87 | Northampton County Area Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bethlehem, PA | $54,661 | $14,125 | -15% | Negative payoff |
| 88 | Liberty UniversityAssociate's Degree | Lynchburg, VA | $54,647 | $28,416 | -35% | Negative payoff |
| 89 | Century CollegeAssociate's Degree | White Bear Lake, MN | $54,621 | $19,750 | -14% | Negative payoff |
| 90 | Pima Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Tucson, AZ | $54,551 | $9,974 | -1% | Negative payoff |
| 91 | Columbia CollegeAssociate's Degree | Columbia, MO | $54,522 | $27,897 | -30% | Negative payoff |
| 92 | Frederick Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Frederick, MD | $54,249 | $7,062 | -15% | Negative payoff |
| 93 | Blinn College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Brenham, TX | $53,840 | $12,399 | -21% | Negative payoff |
| 94 | Delaware Technical Community College-TerryAssociate's Degree | Dover, DE | $53,795 | Not available | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 95 | James A. Rhodes State CollegeAssociate's Degree | Lima, OH | $53,644 | Not available | -20% | Negative payoff |
| 96 | Spokane Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Spokane, WA | $53,405 | Not available | -17% | Negative payoff |
| 97 | Carroll Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Westminster, MD | $53,339 | Not available | -13% | Negative payoff |
| 98 | San Jacinto Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pasadena, TX | $53,335 | $8,875 | -27% | Negative payoff |
| 99 | Connecticut State Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | New Britain, CT | $52,628 | Not available | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 100 | Howard Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Columbia, MD | $52,569 | Not available | -33% | Negative payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.