Business Administration at Salem College

Winston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
51
Optimistic
51
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,299/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 4.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #955 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 $523K $520K $482K
Earnings Multiple 4.1x 4.0x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 51 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$128,944
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$75,340
42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,575
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $43,299/yr, roughly in line with the $46,892 national median for Business Administration. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 4.0x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $27,000 against $43,299/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #955 ranking among 1,169 Business Administration programs places Salem College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 24% earnings increase from $43,299 to $53,575 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Salem College

Salem College accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 390 students in Winston-Salem, NC. Pell Grant recipients make up 49% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. After financial aid, the average student pays $75,340 over four years — 42% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Salem College →

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

Other Majors at Salem College

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 51/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at Salem College?
At 51/100, 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 Salem College?
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 →