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Business at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

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

a compact campus enrolling 719 students in Johnstown, PA.

Program Analysis

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College's Business graduates start at $23,730/yr, trailing the $36,982 national average by 36%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 28.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Business programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 46% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Business graduates.

Median debt of $12,000 represents roughly 6 months of the $23,730 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #119 of 130 Business programs, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $39,935 show a 68% jump from the $23,730 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Business offers 8 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
58
Score
60
High End
Earnings $23,730/yr (-36% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$416K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
29.8x
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)
$13,980
Out-of-state: $26,160
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,935
68% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Business careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering business & office.

Read the full Business career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Overview

View all 130 schools offering Business →

Business at Other Schools

Thomas More University ($83,571) Indiana University-Bloomington ($71,550) Empire State University ($62,409) Davenport University ($49,530) Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion ($49,463) Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global ($49,463) Lehigh Carbon Community College ($47,276) James A. Rhodes State College ($45,238)

Other Majors at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

Electrical Installation ($95,230) Criminal Justice ($31,499) Medical Assisting ($24,885) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($24,728)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Business degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Pennsylvania Highlands Community College's Business program score?
A score of 58/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Pennsylvania Highlands Community College trails the majority of Business programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College?
The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Pennsylvania Highlands Community College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Can you still earn well with Business from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Pennsylvania Highlands Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Business program at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College?
There are 8 registered apprenticeships connected to Business occupations, such as Health Information Management Business Analyst and Health Information Management Data Analyst. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Business workers?
Job availability for Business is strong — 832,900 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Pennsylvania Highlands Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in PA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →