Pennsylvania Community Colleges
Business Administration Programs
Business administration courses across community colleges in this state, covering management, accounting, marketing, and economics.
10 colleges · 672 sections · 160 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Business administration is the most-completed associate degree at Pennsylvania community colleges, and the most flexible — graduates step into operations and management roles at small businesses, transfer to four-year business schools, or use the degree as a foundation for an MBA. Across 10 PA CCs institutions, this term's 672 sections cover management, marketing, finance, accounting, and economics — the same core curriculum a four-year business school would expect in years 1 and 2.
The associate degree typically takes two years full-time and articulates cleanly to most Pennsylvania four-year business programs, so students can complete the first half of a BBA at community college tuition rates before transferring. Compare colleges below by award counts, online section availability, and graduate earnings to find the best fit.
Earnings & outcomes for Business Administration graduates
Federal College Scorecard data on what graduates of this program actually earn after completion. Where a school’s cohort is too small to publish, we show the national benchmark for the same field of study.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, per-program (4-digit CIP) data. CIP 5202 — Business Administration, Management and Operations. School cohorts are suppressed by the federal source when fewer than ~30 completers in the reporting cohort.
Colleges offering Business Administration
Pick a college to see its full plan — every required course, which ones transfer to the school you want, and what’s open now.
| College | Sections | Courses | Online | Awards/yr | 5-yr earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Allegheny County | 115 | 27 | 71 | 300 | $46,363 |
| Montgomery County Community College | 102 | 28 | 66 | 48 | — |
| Lehigh Carbon Community College | 95 | 20 | 52 | 103 | $54,817 |
| Delaware County Community College | 76 | 20 | 39 | 311 | $55,810 |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | 66 | 19 | 28 | 314 | $54,313 |
| Luzerne County Community College | 55 | 19 | 23 | 26 | — |
| Community College of Philadelphia | 52 | 14 | 29 | 16 | — |
| Reading Area Community College | 51 | 21 | 17 | 133 | $50,861 |
| Westmoreland County Community College | 31 | 28 | 31 | — | — |
| Northampton Community College | 29 | 8 | 16 | 50 | $35,375 |
Business Administration Availability Snapshot
How business administration sections are being offered across 10 colleges in Pennsylvania this term (672 sections total).
Delivery format
- online351 (52%)
- in person272 (40%)
- hybrid28 (4%)
- zoom21 (3%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)174
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)81
- Evening (5 PM and after)69
- Asynchronous / TBA348
Start dates
Sections begin on 21 distinct dates. 218 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 185 distinct instructors across 10 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Community College of Allegheny County15 programs
Reading Area Community College4 programs
Common Business Administration courses
- BUS 101Intro to Business(21 sections)
- ACCT 101Financial Accounting(19 sections)
- BUS 100Introduction to Business(18 sections)
- ECON 201Principles of Economics I: Macro(17 sections)
- BUS 130Business Comm(14 sections)
- MGT 111Principles of Management(14 sections)
- ACC 111Financial Accounting(14 sections)
- ACC 115Computerized Accounting(14 sections)
- BUS 104Prin Marketing(12 sections)
- MKT 111Principles of Marketing(12 sections)
- ECO 102Principles of Macroeconomics(12 sections)
- ECO 121Macroeconomics(12 sections)
Career outlook for Business Administration graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare Pennsylvania’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Pennsylvania's typical pay for this occupation is roughly in line with the national picture.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I get an associate in business or transfer to a four-year school first?
- For most students, completing the associate first is cheaper — Pennsylvania community college tuition is a fraction of four-year tuition, and the first two years of a BBA are largely general-education and intro business courses that transfer 1:1. The exception is students aiming for elite business schools that prefer freshmen admits.
- What jobs can I get with an associate in business?
- Office manager, assistant manager, sales representative, account coordinator, bookkeeper, and administrative supervisor are common entry points. Many graduates use the degree to formalize an existing role they were promoted into — companies often cover or reimburse the associate's tuition for employees moving from hourly to salaried positions.
- Does business credit transfer to a Pennsylvania four-year university?
- Yes. Most PA CCs business associate programs are articulated to the major state university business school under a guaranteed-transfer agreement. Compare colleges below — some have stronger transfer partnerships than others, and the right college can save you a full semester at four-year tuition rates.
- How long does an associate in business take?
- Two years full-time (4 semesters of 15 credits each), or three to four years part-time. Many Pennsylvania programs offer evening and online sections specifically for working students completing the degree alongside a full-time job.
Compare Business Administration programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Pennsylvania’s business administration programs stack up.
Other programs in Pennsylvania
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.