Animal Sciences at Harcum College

Harcum College's Animal Sciences associate program shows relatively low first-year earnings at $27,932, but context matters here. While this places graduates in just the 22nd percentile nationally, it's actually the median for Pennsylvania—because Harcum is the only school in the state offering this associate degree. The program does shine in one critical area: graduates carry $18,375 in debt, which ranks in the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of similar programs saddle students with more debt).

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 means graduates face less than eight months of earnings in debt, which is manageable for an associate degree. However, the $27,932 starting salary requires careful consideration. That's roughly $13.43 per hour, which may limit financial independence without additional income or support. Given that 53% of Harcum students receive Pell grants, many families here are already working with tight budgets.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) is a significant caveat—one unusual year could skew these numbers dramatically. If your child is passionate about animal sciences and plans to pursue further education or work in veterinary support, kennel management, or pet retail, this could be a reasonable starting point with relatively modest debt. But if they're hoping this associate degree alone will launch a financially stable career, the first-year earnings suggest they'll likely need to advance quickly or supplement with additional credentials.