Business at Pierpont Community and Technical College

Fairmont, WV · Public · Associate Degree · Business/Commerce, General

a smaller institution with 906 students in Fairmont, WV.

Program Analysis

Pierpont Community and Technical College's Business graduates start at $26,517/yr, trailing the $36,982 national average by 28%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 28.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Business programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Business's career paths, with 46% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $14,920 represents roughly 7 months of the $26,517 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #116 of 130 Business programs, Pierpont Community and Technical College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $30,992 are relatively flat compared to the $26,517 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

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

60 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
54
Low End
60
Score
61
High End
Earnings $26,517/yr (-28% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$318K
4.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
28.4x
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)
$11,188
Out-of-state: $26,524
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,920
6.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$30,992
17% 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

Explore what Business graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 130 programs nationwide.

Read the full Business career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Overview

Business at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pierpont Community and Technical College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Pierpont Community and Technical College's Business program score?
At 60/100, the score looks reasonable — but Business is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
How vulnerable is Business to AI automation?
AI exposure of 46% is a real factor. For Pierpont Community and Technical College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($318,004) and pessimistic ($277,426) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Can you still earn well with Business from Pierpont Community and Technical College?
Lower starting pay at Pierpont Community and Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Business graduates?
The DOL recognizes 8 apprenticeship pathways related to Business. For students weighing Pierpont Community and Technical College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Business from Pierpont Community and Technical College?
At 832,900 annual openings, Business has a very large employment base. Pierpont Community and Technical College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →