Business Administration at George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
73
Base Case
67
Pessimistic
Earnings $55,147/yr (18% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 11.3x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #147 of 1,169 Business Administration programs Top 25%

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 $637K $625K $559K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.5x 11.3x 10.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.0x 4.0x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 73 67

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$55,260
Out-of-state: $157,588 (4.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,148
-32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,440
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,937
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $55,147 per year, Business Administration graduates from George Mason University earn slightly above the $46,892 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.3x 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 12% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $19,440 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #147 of 1,169 nationally, this is a top-5% Business Administration program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $55,147 to $74,937 over five years — a 36% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About George Mason University

With 89% of applicants admitted, George Mason University prioritizes broad access, with 27,083 students enrolled in Fairfax, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at George Mason 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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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Business Administration at George Mason University?
This program scores 73/100 — 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 $558,573 in decade earnings vs $636,588 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes George Mason University's Business Administration program stand out?
Ranked #147 of 1,169 programs nationally, George Mason University lands in the top 25%. 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 →