Business Administration, Management and Operations at Peirce College

Peirce College graduates earn $55,328 in their first year—solidly above both Pennsylvania's median ($47,040) and the national average ($45,703) for business degrees. That 83rd percentile ranking nationally suggests strong initial placement, likely driven by the college's focus on working adults in Philadelphia's job market. However, the $43,500 debt load is substantially higher than typical business graduates face (nearly double the national median of $26,000), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79 that demands serious consideration.

The concerning element here is the earnings trajectory: graduates actually see a 3% decline by year four, dropping to $53,859. This backward slide is unusual for business degrees and raises questions about career advancement opportunities. While over half of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the program serves lower-income families who need strong ROI, the combination of premium debt and flat earnings creates a financial squeeze that could take years to resolve.

For families prioritizing immediate job placement in the Philadelphia area, Peirce delivers respectable starting salaries. But compare this to Penn State or Pitt graduates who start higher and have room to grow—the debt premium here doesn't buy you the upward trajectory you'd want. Unless your child is already working and needs a degree for a specific promotion, the high borrowing costs make this a questionable investment when Pennsylvania offers 82 business programs to choose from.