Business at Wharton County Junior College

Wharton, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Business/Commerce, General

with a smaller student body of 4,832 in Wharton, TX.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $29,619/yr fall 20% below the $36,982 national median for Business. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 84.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Business carry above-average AI exposure (46% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At $12,000 in median debt against $29,619 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #36 ranking among 130 Business programs places Wharton County Junior College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $29,619-to-$46,517 earnings arc over five years reflects a 57% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

The 8 apprenticeship pathways connected to Business reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
74
Score
77
High End
Earnings $29,619/yr (-20% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$518K
11.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
88.9x
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)
$5,832
Out-of-state: $11,136
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,517
57% 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

Business at Other Schools

Other Majors at Wharton County Junior College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Wharton County Junior College's Business program score?
This program scores 74/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Business nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What's the AI risk for Business graduates from Wharton County Junior College?
The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Wharton County Junior College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Why are Business earnings lower at Wharton County Junior College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Wharton County Junior College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Business graduates?
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.
Will Business graduates from Wharton County Junior College find jobs?
With approximately 832,900 annual openings across mapped careers, Business offers a very large employment pool. Wharton County Junior College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →