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Business Administration at American University

Washington, DC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
65 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
66
Optimistic
65
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings $58,299/yr (24% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #414 of 1,169 Business Administration programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Business Administration graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $723K $704K $617K
Earnings Multiple 3.2x 3.1x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 66 65 59

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$226,172
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$167,780
26% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,500
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$88,921
53% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $58,299 at American University come in 24% above the national median of $46,892 for Business Administration programs.

At 3.1x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 15% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $58,299 far exceeding the $24,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #414 ranking among 1,169 Business Administration programs places American University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $58,299-to-$88,921 earnings arc over five years reflects a 53% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About American University

A 47% admission rate makes American University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, enrolling 7,593 students in Washington, DC.

See all programs and financial aid at American University →

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr
Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr
Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
View all 42 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 1169 schools offering Business Administration →

Business Administration at Other Schools

Manhattan College ($113,777) Bismarck State College ($100,668) Maine Maritime Academy ($98,743) Carnegie Mellon University ($95,891) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($93,674) University of Pennsylvania ($91,443) University of California-Berkeley ($90,008) Emory University ($85,682)

Other Majors at American University

Finance and Financial Management Services ($83,505) Economics ($58,151) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($55,625) Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($50,026) Political Science and Government ($48,034) International Relations and National Security Studies ($47,551) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($46,780) Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies ($46,206)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Business Administration trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 65/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at American University?
At 65/100, American University's Business Administration program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business Administration at American University?
The 47% 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →