Business Administrationat California State University Maritime Academy
Graduates earn $57,265/yr in their first year — about 22.0% above the national Business Administration average. Base-case 10-year earnings $674K; scenarios range from $595K to $690K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cal Maritime
First-year earnings of $57,265 at California State University Maritime Academy come in 22% above the national median of $46,892 for Business Administration programs.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 22.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Business Administration programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Business Administration's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 14% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $57,265 far exceeding the $20,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Ranked #17 of 1,169 Business Administration programs nationally, California State University Maritime Academy sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.
Earnings grow from $57,265 to $83,752 over five years — a 46% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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 Cal Maritime'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 Cal Maritime stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cal Maritime
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cal Maritime, 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 Cal Maritime
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Business Administration at California State University Maritime Academy?
This program scores 80/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Business Administration nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Business Administration careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $594,587 in decade earnings vs $690,229 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University Maritime Academy's Business Administration program stand out?
Ranked #17 of 1,169 programs nationally, California State University Maritime Academy lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.