Business Administration at Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
54
Optimistic
53
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,385/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #885 of 1,169 Business Administration programs

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 $550K $545K $500K
Earnings Multiple 3.4x 3.4x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 54 53 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$160,760
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,284
54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,956
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $47,385/yr, roughly in line with the $46,892 national median for Business Administration. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 3.4x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,000 debt-to-$47,385 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #885 out of 1,169 programs, Buena Vista University's financial outcomes for Business Administration trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $47,385 to $58,956 shows 24% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Buena Vista University

Buena Vista University accepts 72% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,378 students in Storm Lake, IA. Pell Grant recipients make up 43% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. The average net cost of $73,284 over four years represents a 54% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Buena Vista 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

Business Administration at Other Schools

Other Majors at Buena Vista University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Buena Vista University's Business Administration program score?
A score of 53/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Buena Vista University trails the majority of Business Administration programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
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.
How affordable is Business Administration at Buena Vista University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $160,760, but the average net cost is $73,284 — a 54% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →