Business/Commerce at Pierpont Community and Technical College

The earnings data for Pierpont's Business/Commerce associate's program raises red flags. At $26,517 one year after graduation, graduates earn roughly $10,000 less than the West Virginia state median for this program and nearly $10,000 below the national average. More troubling, earnings remain flat four years out—there's no growth trajectory to offset the weak starting point. While the sample size is small (under 30 graduates) and individual outcomes may vary, the 5th percentile national ranking suggests this program consistently underperforms comparable offerings. Other West Virginia schools like Strayer and American Public University deliver earnings that are 65% higher from similar associate's programs.

The debt load of $15,500 matches the state median but represents more than seven months of first-year income—a heavier burden given the below-average earnings. The real issue isn't necessarily excessive borrowing but inadequate earning power to justify even moderate debt. With 30% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on this degree to improve their financial position, but a $26,000 salary with stagnant growth makes that challenging.

Given the small sample caveat, prospective students should request more current data from the school before enrolling. If these numbers hold, however, students would likely be better served by West Virginia's online public options or exploring business programs at other community colleges in the state that demonstrate stronger employment pipelines.