Business Administration, Management and Operations at Peirce College

Peirce College graduates from this associate's program earn $46,242 their first year out—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile in Pennsylvania. That puts them ahead of even Reading Area Community College, the state's earnings leader, and dramatically above the PA median of $33,209. For an associate's degree, these are impressive outcomes, particularly since half of students qualify for Pell grants.

The challenge is debt. At $41,555, graduates carry nearly three times the state median of $17,100. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.90 suggests graduates can realistically manage payments, this is still substantial for a two-year degree. The program serves students from lower-income backgrounds who may have fewer financial safety nets, making that debt level worth serious consideration.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) is important context—these numbers could shift significantly with a larger cohort. That said, if the earnings pattern holds, Peirce graduates are positioned for strong early-career success despite the debt burden. This works best for students committed to business management who can afford to prioritize immediate earning power over minimizing borrowing.