Median Earnings (1yr)
$48,747
54th percentile
60th percentile in Pennsylvania
Median Debt
$27,000
4% above national median

Analysis

Temple University's business program outperforms most Pennsylvania schools—graduates earn $60,375 four years out, placing them in the 60th percentile statewide and above the state median of $45,781. With debt of $27,000 and strong starting salaries around $49,000, students face a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55. The 24% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates gain traction in the job market, though they still trail elite private colleges like Albright by a meaningful margin.

The value proposition here is solid accessibility meeting decent outcomes. Temple's 83% admission rate makes it attainable for most students, while its Philadelphia location provides natural networking advantages in finance, healthcare, and corporate sectors. The debt burden sits right at national norms, but the earnings edge over other Pennsylvania public universities means graduates get a slight return advantage. For families comparing regional options, Temple delivers better financial outcomes than most state competitors without the premium price tag of smaller private institutions.

This program won't catapult graduates into six-figure careers immediately, but it provides a reliable path to middle-class earnings with debt that's paid off within a reasonable timeframe. Pennsylvania families seeking an affordable business degree with proven employment outcomes will find this a sensible choice.

Where Temple University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Temple University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Temple University$48,747$60,375+24%
Strayer University-Pennsylvania$55,431$59,763+8%
Washington & Jefferson College$45,911$59,080+29%
Albright College$56,932$55,634-2%
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus$45,781$51,789+13%

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Business/Commerce bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (22 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia$22,082$48,747$60,375$27,0000.55
Albright CollegeReading$28,794$56,932$55,634$33,5000.59
Strayer University-PennsylvaniaTrevose$13,920$55,431$59,763$56,5171.02
Washington & Jefferson CollegeWashington$28,185$45,911$59,080$26,0850.57
University of Pittsburgh-GreensburgGreensburg$14,630$45,781$51,789$26,6250.58
University of Pittsburgh-JohnstownJohnstown$14,646$45,781$51,789$26,6250.58
National Median$47,506$26,0000.55

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Temple University, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 190 graduates with reported earnings and 209 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.