Business at Harrisburg Area Community College

Harrisburg, PA · Public · Associate Degree · Business/Commerce, General

serving 9,802 students in Harrisburg, PA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $36,708/yr, roughly in line with the $36,982 national median for Business. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 28.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 46% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Business graduates.

The $19,703 debt-to-$36,708 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #96 out of 130 programs, Harrisburg Area Community College's financial outcomes for Business trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $36,708 to $41,881 over five years (14% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 8 registered apprenticeships mapped to Business, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
67
Score
69
High End
Earnings $36,708/yr (-1% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$428K
3.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
29.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
16 of 16
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$14,746
Out-of-state: $22,800
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,703
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,881
14% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Chief executives $206,420 +4.3% 44%
Sales managers $138,060 +4.7% 55%
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
Chief executives
$206,420
+4.3% growth 44% AI-proof
Sales managers
$138,060
+4.7% growth 55% AI-proof
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof

View all 16 career paths with full salary data →

Business Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Business — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Harrisburg Area Community College and 129 other schools.

Read the full Business career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Overview

Business at Other Schools

Other Majors at Harrisburg Area Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Harrisburg Area Community College's Business program score?
A score of 67/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Harrisburg Area Community College trails the majority of Business programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
What's the AI risk for Business graduates from Harrisburg Area Community College?
Our scenarios model 46% of Business tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Harrisburg Area Community College's 67/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Business program at Harrisburg Area Community College?
Beyond Harrisburg Area Community College's classroom route, 8 registered apprenticeships map to Business careers — including Health Information Management Business Analyst. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
What's the job market like for Business from Harrisburg Area Community College?
With approximately 832,900 annual openings across mapped careers, Business offers a very large employment pool. Harrisburg Area Community College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →