Business Administration at Capella University

Minneapolis, MN · Private for-profit · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
77 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
78
Optimistic
77
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,701/yr (47% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 11.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #58 of 1,169 Business Administration programs Top 5%

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 $657K $643K $572K
Earnings Multiple 11.4x 11.1x 9.9x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 78 77 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$57,744
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,043
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$81,606
19% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Capella University's Business Administration program earn $68,701/yr in their first year — 47% above the $46,892 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.1x 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 13% gap from the optimistic case.

At $21,043 in median debt against $68,701 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #58 of 1,169 nationally, this is a top-5% Business Administration program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $81,606 are relatively flat compared to the $68,701 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Capella University

serving 16,173 students in Minneapolis, MN.

See all programs and financial aid at Capella 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

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Business Administration at Capella University?
This program scores 77/100 — 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 $572,044 in decade earnings vs $656,651 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Capella University's Business Administration program stand out?
Ranked #58 of 1,169 programs nationally, Capella University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →