Business Administration, Management and Operations at Lycoming College

Lycoming's business program starts slow but builds momentum—graduates earn just under $42,000 initially, about 8% below Pennsylvania's median for business programs. That's not alarming territory, but it does mean the first few years require patience. The debt load of $27,000 is reasonable, creating a manageable 0.64 ratio to first-year earnings.

The real story emerges in year four, when median earnings jump to $56,231—a 34% increase that outpaces typical wage growth. This suggests graduates are finding career traction and moving into management roles. Among Pennsylvania's 82 business programs, Lycoming lands at the 40th percentile, placing it in the middle tier alongside state schools rather than competing with regional powerhouses like Lehigh or Carnegie Mellon.

For families considering this program, the math works if your child needs time to develop professionally. The moderate debt won't be crushing during those early career years, and the earnings trajectory suggests the credential opens doors to advancement. You're not paying for prestige or instant results—you're investing in a foundation that seems to deliver returns as graduates prove themselves in the workforce.