Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection (Associate's Degree) at Community College of Allegheny County

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$36,873

Est. from PA median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$10,866

Est. from national median (5 programs)

Analysis

Similar construction programs in Pennsylvania suggest first-year earnings around $37,000—enough to make the estimated $10,900 in debt manageable, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 that stays within reasonable bounds. But this outcome sits roughly $7,500 below the national median for construction finishing programs nationwide, and even among Pennsylvania schools, there's considerable variation. Pennsylvania College of Technology's graduates, for instance, start at over $44,000, demonstrating that not all associate degrees in this field produce the same economic results.

What makes interpretation difficult here is that we're working entirely with estimates—both the debt and earnings figures come from comparable programs rather than this specific school's track record. The actual outcomes for CCAC's graduates may be better or worse. The debt estimate appears conservative compared to Pennsylvania's state median of $17,500 for similar programs, which could work in students' favor if it reflects reality.

For parents, the key question is whether their student can access one of the stronger-performing programs in Pennsylvania or whether CCAC represents their best local option. The construction trades generally offer solid employment prospects in the Pittsburgh area, but if transferring to a program with verified outcomes showing higher earnings is feasible, that $7,000-plus earnings difference compounds significantly over a career. Without actual graduate data from CCAC, you're banking on the program performing at least as well as the state average.

Where Community College of Allegheny County Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all building/construction finishing, management, and inspection associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection associates's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (10 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Community College of Allegheny CountyPittsburgh	$4,842	$36,873*	—	$10,866*	—
Pennsylvania College of TechnologyWilliamsport	$17,940	$44,225*	—	$17,500*	0.40
Thaddeus Stevens College of TechnologyLancaster	$9,050	$36,873*	—	—*	—
New Castle School of TradesNew Castle	—	$31,601*	$39,746	—*	—
National Median	—	$44,380*	—	$11,433*	0.26

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with building/construction finishing, management, and inspection graduates

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction and Building Inspectors

Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations. Inspections may be general in nature or may be limited to a specific area, such as electrical systems or plumbing.

$72,120/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Energy Auditors

Conduct energy audits of buildings, building systems, or process systems. May also conduct investment grade audits of buildings or systems.

$72,120/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

$64,200/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

Raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, and other structural members to form completed structures or structural frameworks. May erect metal storage tanks and assemble prefabricated metal buildings.

$61,940/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

Apply plasterboard or other wallboard to ceilings or interior walls of buildings. Apply or mount acoustical tiles or blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing materials to ceilings and walls of buildings to reduce or reflect sound. Materials may be of decorative quality. Includes lathers who fasten wooden, metal, or rockboard lath to walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings to provide support base for plaster, fireproofing, or acoustical material.

$58,800/yrJobs growth:No formal educational credential

Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools. Align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; and use saws to cut expansion joints.

$56,600/yrJobs growth:

Terrazzo Workers and Finishers

Apply a mixture of cement, sand, pigment, or marble chips to floors, stairways, and cabinet fixtures to fashion durable and decorative surfaces.

$56,600/yrJobs growth:

Glaziers

Install glass in windows, skylights, store fronts, and display cases, or on surfaces, such as building fronts, interior walls, ceilings, and tabletops.

$55,440/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Carpet Installers

Lay and install carpet from rolls or blocks on floors. Install padding and trim flooring materials.

$52,000/yrJobs growth:No formal educational credential

Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles

Apply blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, or decorative coverings to floors.

$52,000/yrJobs growth:No formal educational credential

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 Community College of Allegheny County, approximately 29% 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 median of 3 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.