Business, Management, Marketing, at Point Park University

Point Park's business program lands graduates in the bottom 10th percentile of Pennsylvania business programs with a first-year salary of just $24,948—less than half the national median and $11,000 below the state median. While the debt load of $27,000 matches Pennsylvania averages, owing more than a full year's starting salary creates immediate financial pressure that most competing programs avoid.

The 71% earnings jump to $42,734 by year four tells a more complex story. Graduates appear to start in entry-level roles that pay well below market rate, then eventually climb closer to reasonable business salaries. But this catch-up game means spending several years earning significantly less than peers from programs like Widener or even Penn State campuses. The four-year mark still lags Pennsylvania's median by about 15%, suggesting the earnings gap never fully closes.

For families considering this program at full cost, the math is challenging. Unless your student has compelling reasons to attend Point Park specifically—location, specific career connections, or substantial merit aid—Pennsylvania offers stronger business programs at similar or lower prices. The 98% admission rate and below-average test scores suggest this may be positioning itself as an access-oriented option, but the earnings data indicates that accessibility doesn't translate to competitive career outcomes for business majors.