Business Administration, Management and Operations at Thomas Jefferson University

Thomas Jefferson University's business program carries notably higher debt than its Pennsylvania peers—$36,625 versus the state median of $27,000—while delivering earnings below the middle of the pack. At $45,225 in first-year earnings, graduates trail the PA median by nearly $2,000 and land in just the 40th percentile statewide. The debt burden sits in the 95th percentile nationally (meaning only 5% of similar programs saddle students with more debt), creating a first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81 that's uncomfortably close to the 1.0 threshold financial advisors flag as risky.

The 20% earnings jump to $54,418 by year four offers some reassurance, but this growth trajectory still leaves graduates earning well below Pennsylvania's elite business programs—and even $8,000 behind mid-tier state options like Pitt. The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly year to year, but the debt number is particularly concerning because it represents real loans students must repay.

For families comparing Pennsylvania business schools, this program's combination of above-average debt and below-average earnings within the state creates a financial squeeze. Unless your child has compelling non-financial reasons to attend Thomas Jefferson specifically, Pennsylvania offers dozens of business programs with better earnings outcomes and lower debt burdens—particularly at state schools where in-state tuition would further improve the math.