Business/Commerce, General at Hagerstown Community College

Hagerstown, MD · Public · Associate Degree

a smaller institution with 2,783 students in Hagerstown, MD.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $41,970/yr, edging above the $36,982 national average for Business/Commerce, General — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 54.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business/Commerce, General career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $11,591 in median debt against $41,970 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #13 of 130 programs, this Business/Commerce, General program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The limited growth from $41,970 to $46,505 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

77 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
77
Score
79
High End
Earnings $41,970/yr (13% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$472K
2.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
54.7x
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)
$8,640
Out-of-state: $16,380
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,591
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,505
11% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business/Commerce, General 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 →

About Business/Commerce, General Careers

Your career in business often starts by mastering a specific function. You might begin as a project coordinator, using tools like Asana and Slack to keep teams on schedule, or as a management analyst, digging into spreadsheets and interviewing staff to pinpoint how a company can improve efficiency. Your days are a mix of collaboration, problem-solving, and communicating your findings to leadership. As you gain experience, you’ll progress from executing tasks to directing them, becoming an operations manager who oversees a department’s budget and staff or a sales manager leading a team to hit its targets.

Read the full Business/Commerce, General career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business/Commerce, General Overview

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Business/Commerce, General at Hagerstown Community College?
This program scores 77/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Business/Commerce, General nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Will AI affect Business/Commerce, General careers?
The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
How affordable is Business/Commerce, General at Hagerstown Community College?
At $11,591 in median debt, Business/Commerce, General graduates from Hagerstown Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Business/Commerce, General through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 8 registered apprenticeships connected to Business/Commerce, General occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Business/Commerce, General graduates?
The career paths mapped to Business/Commerce, General have roughly 832,900 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →