Business Administration at Philander Smith University

Little Rock, AR · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
39
Optimistic
39
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $27,413/yr (-42% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 9.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #1146 of 1,169 Business Administration programs

Program Analysis

The financial data here reflects the realities of a broad Business Administration degree from a regional private institution. Many graduates from this program likely find initial employment within the Little Rock economy, often in general administrative, operational support, or entry-level management roles at local businesses, non-profits, or government agencies. While the degree provides a versatile foundation, the local labor market for these positions may not command salaries seen in larger, more competitive urban centers, leading to the reported earnings. The high AI risk associated with this major also highlights the increasing automation of foundational administrative tasks. To maximize your career trajectory, actively seek internships that provide specialized, hands-on experience in growing sectors within Arkansas, and consider supplementing your degree with certifications in areas like project management or data analytics to target higher-value, less automatable roles.

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 $476K $477K $451K
Earnings Multiple 9.1x 9.2x 8.7x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 39 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$52,056
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,440
-18% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
11.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,548
52% growth from Year 1

About Philander Smith University

a smaller institution with 842 students in Little Rock, AR. 71% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Philander Smith 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

Business Administration at Other Schools

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Business Administration at Philander Smith University?
A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Business Administration. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $450,803 in decade earnings vs $476,073 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Business Administration from Philander Smith University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →