Business Administration, Management and Operations at Pennsylvania College of Technology

Pennsylvania College of Technology's business program produces graduates earning slightly below both national and Pennsylvania averages—landing in the 40th percentile among the state's 82 programs. Starting at $44,538 and reaching $47,499 by year four, these earnings trail the state median by about $4,000 annually. That gap becomes more meaningful when you consider Pennsylvania's concentration of strong business programs, from Carnegie Mellon's $96,000 median down to Pitt's $63,000. This program sits closer to the middle-tier options rather than competing with the state's top performers.

The financial structure offers some reassurance: $27,000 in debt against first-year earnings of $44,538 creates a manageable 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio. You're looking at debt loads that align with both state and national medians, meaning repayment shouldn't create undue hardship even with below-average earnings. The moderate sample size suggests reasonably stable outcomes across graduates.

For families choosing between Pennsylvania options, this program represents a safe but unremarkable path. The relatively low debt provides some downside protection, but the earnings trajectory—growing just 7% over four years—suggests limited early-career momentum. If your student can access Penn State, Pitt, or similar Pennsylvania publics with stronger placement records, those alternatives likely offer better returns. If not, the combination of manageable debt and steady (if modest) employment makes this a defensible choice rather than a standout opportunity.