Business Administration, Management and Operations at Lebanon Valley College

Lebanon Valley's business program starts graduates at $44,334—slightly below both Pennsylvania and national medians—but the trajectory is what matters here. That 30% earnings jump to nearly $58,000 by year four suggests graduates are building valuable skills and advancing quickly, even if the initial placement numbers look unremarkable.

The debt picture offers real breathing room. At $27,000, graduates owe about 61 cents for every dollar of first-year income—manageable by any standard and below three-quarters of similar programs nationally. This moderate debt load means graduates can focus on career growth rather than aggressive loan repayment. Among Pennsylvania business programs, however, this ranks in just the 40th percentile for earnings, meaning six out of ten comparable state programs produce higher-earning graduates. The gap is real: Penn State and Pitt grads earn $20,000+ more annually.

For families choosing between Lebanon Valley and larger state schools, this comes down to fit versus raw earning power. The college's 75% admission rate and smaller scale might offer personalized attention, but you're trading that for notably lower starting salaries than Pennsylvania's flagship programs. If your student can access those higher-earning options—and handle their competitive environments—the data suggests they should. Lebanon Valley works best for students who need the supportive environment and will hustle their way up during those crucial first four years.