Business Administrationat Boston University
Graduates earn $71,545/yr in their first year — about 53.0% above the national Business Administration average. Base-case 10-year earnings $762K; scenarios range from $659K to $786K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Boston University
Graduating from Boston University with a Business Administration degree places you within a highly competitive talent pool in a major global city. The selective nature of the program, combined with its location in Boston, a hub for finance, tech, and healthcare, provides direct pathways to significant leadership roles. You'll benefit from a strong alumni network and access to diverse employers like Fidelity, HubSpot, and top consulting firms that actively recruit on campus. These factors drive the strong career outcomes, preparing you for management tracks across various sectors.
The noted AI risk reflects the evolving landscape where many operational and analytical tasks within management are increasingly automated. To thrive, focus on developing irreplaceable human skills: complex strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal leadership. Consider complementing your core business skills with analytics or technology specializations to future-proof your career.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Boston University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Business Administration
How Boston University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Boston University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Boston University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Business Administration offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Business Administration trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Business Administration at Boston University
How does Boston University's Business Administration program score?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Business Administration graduates.
How vulnerable is Business Administration to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Business Administration careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Boston University rank so high for Business Administration?
The #254 ranking out of 1,169 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
How affordable is Business Administration at Boston University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $260,672, but the average net cost is $107,984 — a 59% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.