Business Administrationat Portland State University
Graduates earn $51,358/yr in their first year — about 10.0% above the national Business Administration average. Base-case 10-year earnings $641K; scenarios range from $571K to $654K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Portland State University
At $51,358 per year, Business Administration graduates from Portland State 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 14.3x 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 13% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $19,901 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #108 of 1,169 programs, Portland State University's Business Administration program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.
Earnings grow from $51,358 to $76,365 over five years — a 49% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Portland State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Business Administration
How Portland State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Portland State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Portland State 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 →Frequently asked about Business Administration at Portland State University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Business Administration at Portland State University?
This program scores 75/100 — 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 $570,534 in decade earnings vs $654,400 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.