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Business Operations Supportat Iowa State University

Graduates earn $49,962/yr in their first year — about 58.0% above the national Business Operations Support average. Base-case 10-year earnings $519K; scenarios range from $472K to $524K depending on AI disruption.

Ames, IA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
60 SOLID
61
Optimistic
43
Pessimistic
Earnings
$49,962
1-year post-graduation
ROI
10.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$519K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
64% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Iowa State University

This specialized program at Iowa State offers a distinct advantage due to its limited national availability. With fewer graduates competing, you'll find strong demand for your skills, especially across Iowa's diverse economy, from major agricultural firms to manufacturing and service industries. These aren't merely administrative roles; you'll be trained for critical operational support, often coordinating projects, managing complex schedules, and facilitating communication for executive teams or entire departments within larger organizations that value Iowa State's practical, well-rounded graduates.

However, the "Very High" AI risk is a significant factor. Many tasks typical of these roles, like scheduling and data management, are increasingly automated. To thrive, focus your studies and internships on developing skills AI can't easily replicate: complex problem-solving, strategic thinking, managing interpersonal dynamics, and leveraging technology rather than just operating it. Seek out experiences where you're not just supporting, but actively contributing to operational efficiency and strategic initiatives.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$472K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score43/100
Earnings Multiple11.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$519K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score60/100
Earnings Multiple12.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$524K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score61/100
Earnings Multiple12.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Iowa State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Business Operations Support graduates typically work

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.

1
Business operations specialists, all other
+3.0% 10-yr growth · 108,200 openings/yr
$81,270/yr
High
2
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 50,000 openings/yr
$74,260/yr
High
3
First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
-0.3% 10-yr growth · 144,500 openings/yr
$66,140/yr
Moderate
4
Production, planning, and expediting clerks
-1.8% 10-yr growth · 34,100 openings/yr
$57,770/yr
High
5
Cargo and freight agents
+8.5% 10-yr growth · 8,800 openings/yr
$49,900/yr
High
6
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping
-7.1% 10-yr growth · 9,000 openings/yr
$49,440/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Business Operations Support

How Iowa State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Bellevue University
NE · Private nonprofit
68
DW Score
$66K
1-yr earn
17.7x
ROI
Valdosta State University
GA · Public
58
DW Score
$42K
1-yr earn
15.8x
ROI
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus
PR · Private nonprofit
33
DW Score
$17K
1-yr earn
7.3x
ROI
University of Puerto Rico-Humacao
PR · Public
33
DW Score
$9K
1-yr earn
8.9x
ROI
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo
PR · Public
33
DW Score
$5K
1-yr earn
9.4x
ROI
Also at Iowa State University

Other top programs at Iowa State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Iowa State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Business Operations Support offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Business Operations Support trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Business Operations Support at Iowa State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Business Operations Support at Iowa State University?

A score of 60/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Business Operations Support field.

Will AI replace Business Operations Support careers?

With 67% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $472,020 in decade earnings vs $524,174 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.