Business/Commerce at University of Pittsburgh-Bradford

University of Pittsburgh-Bradford's business program lands squarely in the middle of Pennsylvania's offerings—literally matching the state median in both earnings and debt. With graduates earning $45,781 initially and $51,789 after four years, this program trails the national median by about $1,700 but beats half of Pennsylvania's 22 business programs. The 13% earnings growth and manageable debt load (58% of first-year salary) suggest stable, if unremarkable, financial outcomes.

The 60th percentile state ranking tells you something important: despite Bradford's high admission rate and serving a substantial first-generation population (46% receive Pell grants), the program delivers middle-tier results within Pennsylvania. You're not getting Temple's outcomes, but you're also not falling behind most competitors. The debt level is perfectly average nationally, meaning graduates carry typical business school obligations without the earnings premium that justifies higher borrowing.

For families prioritizing accessibility and reasonable risk, this works—particularly if your child qualifies for Pitt's in-state tuition. But if they're admitted to Temple or the higher-earning regional options, the earnings gap ($3,000-$11,000 annually) could mean $120,000-$440,000 in additional lifetime earnings. Run the actual net price calculations before committing, because "affordable and adequate" only makes sense if it's genuinely cheaper than stronger alternatives.