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Business · Business Administration Rank #375 of 1169

Business Administrationat Pepperdine University

Graduates earn $69,751/yr in their first year — about 49.0% above the national Business Administration average. Base-case 10-year earnings $697K; scenarios range from $611K to $715K depending on AI disruption.

Malibu, CA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
66 SOLID
66
Optimistic
61
Pessimistic
Earnings
$69,751
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.4x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$697K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Pepperdine University

Your investment in Pepperdine's Business Administration program clearly positions you for substantial earning potential. This isn't just a function of the degree itself, but crucially, the unique environment. Being nestled in Malibu places you at the epicenter of the dynamic Southern California economy, with direct access to burgeoning industries like entertainment, tech, finance, and luxury goods. The university's strong regional reputation and dedicated career services cultivate robust recruiting pipelines with top employers, often leading to competitive roles that demand strategic thinking and leadership. Graduates frequently ascend into high-level management positions, leveraging the program's emphasis on leadership and critical decision-making in a high-cost, high-opportunity market. To truly capitalize on this, actively engage with the extensive alumni network and pursue internships early to solidify your path in these lucrative sectors.

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
$611K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score61/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$697K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score66/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$715K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score66/100
Earnings Multiple2.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Business Administration 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
Chief executives
+4.3% 10-yr growth · 22,200 openings/yr
$206,420/yr
High
2
Computer and information systems managers
+15.2% 10-yr growth · 55,600 openings/yr
$171,200/yr
High
3
Architectural and engineering managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 14,500 openings/yr
$167,740/yr
Moderate
4
Financial managers
+14.8% 10-yr growth · 74,600 openings/yr
$161,700/yr
High
5
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
6
Compensation and benefits managers
+0.2% 10-yr growth · 1,500 openings/yr
$140,360/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 Administration

How Pepperdine University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Manhattan College
NY · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$114K
1-yr earn
4.5x
ROI
Top score
Bismarck State College
ND · Public
89
DW Score
$101K
1-yr earn
61.8x
ROI
Maine Maritime Academy
ME · Public
73
DW Score
$99K
1-yr earn
15.7x
ROI
Carnegie Mellon University
PA · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$96K
1-yr earn
5.2x
ROI
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
MI · Public
86
DW Score
$94K
1-yr earn
19.4x
ROI
Also at Pepperdine University

Other top programs at Pepperdine University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Pepperdine University, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Business Administration at Pepperdine University

What does a 66/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at Pepperdine University?

At 66/100, Pepperdine University's Business Administration program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Business Administration at Pepperdine 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.