Business Administration, Management and Operations at Northampton County Area Community College

Northampton County Area Community College's business associate degree sits squarely in the middle of the pack nationally, but outperforms most Pennsylvania competitors on a crucial metric: debt load. While graduates earn $33,977 in their first year—identical to the national median—they carry just $21,132 in debt compared to a national average of nearly $14,000. That 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates need about seven months of gross income to cover their loans, a manageable burden that's better than 73% of similar programs nationwide.

Within Pennsylvania, this program ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings while keeping debt below the state median of $17,100. Yes, top programs like Reading Area Community College ($44,544) and Peirce College ($46,242) produce significantly higher earners, but they may come with different cost structures. The 12% earnings growth to $38,002 by year four suggests graduates gain traction in the job market, though small sample size (under 30 students) means individual outcomes could vary considerably from these medians.

For families prioritizing affordability and reasonable career prospects over top-tier earnings, this represents solid value. The debt burden won't be crushing, and graduates enter the workforce earning what their peers do nationally. Just understand you're paying for stability and accessibility, not outsized returns.