Selling a Business in State College

Owners in the State College area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 3,344 employer businesses, and 84% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

State College by the numbers

3,344

3,344

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

10,575

10,575

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

44,569

44,569

EMPLOYMENT

$2.2 billion

$2.2 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,469

1,469

BUSINESSES WITH 5 TO 49 EMPLOYEES

U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 and Nonemployer Statistics 2024. Counts are employer establishments, meaning business locations with paid employees.

How State College compares

  • The State College area ranks 10th of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 0.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 12% of employer businesses in State College, compared with 10% in Pennsylvania.

  • 1,469 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The State College area ranks 10th of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 0.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 12% of employer businesses in State College, compared with 10% in Pennsylvania.

  • 1,469 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 410 employer businesses

  • Retail: 406 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 399 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 382 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 345 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 410 employer businesses

  • Retail: 406 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 399 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 382 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 345 employer businesses

What buyers look for

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

INDUSTRIES

What sells in State College

Health care and social assistance, retail, professional and technical services, repair, personal care and other services

Every kind of business we sell in State College

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in State College. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

368 related employer businesses in State College.

  • General Contracting: 121 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

298 related employer businesses in State College.

Medical Practices

237 related employer businesses in State College.

Financial & Professional Services

169 related employer businesses in State College.

Retail Stores

160 related employer businesses in State College.

Manufacturing

132 related employer businesses in State College.

Automotive & Boat

96 related employer businesses in State College.

  • Auto Repair: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Beauty & Personal Care

74 related employer businesses in State College.

  • Hair Salons: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

71 related employer businesses in State College.

Home Services

59 related employer businesses in State College.

Hospitality & Travel

52 related employer businesses in State College.

  • Hotels: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Technology & Media

50 related employer businesses in State College.

Gas Stations & Convenience

49 related employer businesses in State College.

Education & Childcare

36 related employer businesses in State College.

  • Daycare Centers: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Health & Fitness

35 related employer businesses in State College.

Wholesale & Distribution

35 related employer businesses in State College.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

33 related employer businesses in State College.

Entertainment & Recreation

29 related employer businesses in State College.

  • Bars & Pubs: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

28 related employer businesses in State College.

Senior Care & Living

24 related employer businesses in State College.

Pet Services

12 related employer businesses in State College.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in State College. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

368 related employer businesses in State College.

  • General Contracting: 121 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

298 related employer businesses in State College.

Medical Practices

237 related employer businesses in State College.

Financial & Professional Services

169 related employer businesses in State College.

Retail Stores

160 related employer businesses in State College.

Manufacturing

132 related employer businesses in State College.

Automotive & Boat

96 related employer businesses in State College.

  • Auto Repair: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Beauty & Personal Care

74 related employer businesses in State College.

  • Hair Salons: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

71 related employer businesses in State College.

Home Services

59 related employer businesses in State College.

Hospitality & Travel

52 related employer businesses in State College.

  • Hotels: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Technology & Media

50 related employer businesses in State College.

Gas Stations & Convenience

49 related employer businesses in State College.

Education & Childcare

36 related employer businesses in State College.

  • Daycare Centers: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Health & Fitness

35 related employer businesses in State College.

Wholesale & Distribution

35 related employer businesses in State College.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

33 related employer businesses in State College.

Entertainment & Recreation

29 related employer businesses in State College.

  • Bars & Pubs: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

28 related employer businesses in State College.

Senior Care & Living

24 related employer businesses in State College.

Pet Services

12 related employer businesses in State College.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in State College

Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in State College. Contact us to talk about a sale.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in State College ask

How long does it take to sell a business in State College?

The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers. Many sales take six months or longer from the start of the process to closing.

How is a business valued in State College?

Valuation starts with the earnings the business produces for an owner, then adjusts for assets, size, industry and the terms a buyer is likely to accept. The result is a range, and the asking price is set inside it.

Is the sale confidential?

Buyers are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before they see the name of the business or its financial statements.

FROM OUR BLOG

Guides for owners in State College

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article