Business/Commerce at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

Pennsylvania Highlands' associate's in business lands graduates in the bottom 10% of Pennsylvania business programs and the bottom 5% nationally—a concerning position when even the state median pays nearly $10,000 more in the first year. At $23,730 initially, graduates earn significantly less than peers at other Pennsylvania community colleges: Lehigh Carbon nearly doubles these earnings at $47,276, and even mid-tier options like Harrisburg Area start around $36,708.

The debt load of $12,393 is actually slightly better than state averages, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates do see 17% earnings growth over four years, reaching $27,852, but that still leaves them well below where most Pennsylvania business graduates start. The moderate sample size suggests these patterns are reasonably reliable, not statistical anomalies.

For families in the Johnstown area weighing convenience against outcomes, this is a tough tradeoff. If staying local is essential, understand that graduates will likely start at near-poverty wages and remain behind peers for years. If commuting to programs like Harrisburg Area or Luzerne County is feasible, the extra investment in time could translate to $13,000+ more in annual earnings from day one—a gap that compounds significantly over a career.