Business Administration at Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,029/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #863 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 $601K $592K $535K
Earnings Multiple 3.7x 3.6x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 54 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$162,560
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$110,744
32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,073
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,508
52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $43,029/yr, Business Administration graduates from Messiah University land near the $46,892 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

At 3.6x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $23,073 against $43,029/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #863 ranking among 1,169 Business Administration programs places Messiah University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $43,029-to-$65,508 earnings arc over five years reflects a 52% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Messiah University

With 78% of applicants admitted, Messiah University prioritizes broad access, with a smaller student body of 2,318 in Mechanicsburg, PA. The average net cost of $110,744 over four years represents a 32% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Messiah 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 does a 54/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at Messiah University?
At 54/100, the score looks reasonable — but Business Administration is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business Administration at Messiah University?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →