Business/Commerce (Associate's Degree) at Lehigh Carbon Community College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$47,276

95th percentile

80th percentile in Pennsylvania

Median Debt

$11,500

14% below national median

Analysis

Lehigh Carbon Community College's business associate degree starts impressively strong, with first-year graduates earning $47,276—nearly $11,000 above Pennsylvania's median for this program and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide. That puts it ahead of larger competitors like Harrisburg Area and Montgomery County community colleges. The $11,500 median debt is reasonable, giving graduates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24.

The concern here is the earnings trajectory. By year four, median earnings drop to $41,038, representing a 13% decline. This suggests many graduates may be using the associate degree as a stepping stone—either continuing their education or shifting career paths—rather than building careers directly from this credential. For students planning to transfer to a four-year program, this pattern is less worrying since the associate degree serves as an affordable launching pad. For those entering the workforce immediately, the pattern deserves attention during program selection.

The strong starting salary and modest debt still make this a solid option compared to most Pennsylvania alternatives, particularly for students seeking quick workforce entry or planning to continue their education while working. Just understand that staying in an associate-level business role may mean earnings plateau or dip as others with bachelor's degrees advance past you in the same field.

Where Lehigh Carbon Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce associates's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Lehigh Carbon Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Lehigh Carbon Community College	$47,276	$41,038	-13%
Montgomery County Community College	$36,274	$50,580	+39%
Strayer University-Pennsylvania	$44,154	$47,516	+8%
Community College of Philadelphia	$35,122	$43,798	+25%
Northampton County Area Community College	$28,503	$42,227	+48%

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Business/Commerce associates's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (20 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Lehigh Carbon Community CollegeSchnecksville	$5,215	$47,276	$41,038	$11,500	0.24
Strayer University-PennsylvaniaTrevose	$13,920	$44,154	$47,516	$32,810	0.74
Luzerne County Community CollegeNanticoke	$6,450	$38,515	$34,401	$10,750	0.28
Harrisburg Area Community CollegeHarrisburg	$7,373	$36,708	$39,256	$19,976	0.54
Montgomery County Community CollegeBlue Bell	$6,270	$36,274	$50,580	$11,000	0.30
Community College of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia	$4,632	$35,122	$43,798	$13,437	0.38
National Median	—	$36,591	—	$13,437	0.37

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

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

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

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

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 Lehigh Carbon Community College, approximately 33% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 35 graduates with reported earnings and 37 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.