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Business Administration at San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $46,275/yr (-1% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

ROI 19.3x earnings multiple (7.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #88 of 1,169 Business Administration programs Top 10%

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	$654K	$641K	$570K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.7x	19.3x	17.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.1x	7.9x	7.1x
Probability of Field Employment	47%	43%	32%
DegreeOutlook Score	75	75	69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$33,160

Out-of-state: $80,680 (7.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$64,696

-95% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,000

3.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$74,342

61% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $46,275 track close to the $46,892 national median for Business Administration programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 19.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $15,000 in median debt against $46,275 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #88 of 1,169 programs, this Business Administration program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $46,275-to-$74,342 earnings arc over five years reflects a 61% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About San Diego State University

San Diego State University admits 34% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, serving a student body of 33,654 in San Diego, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at San Diego State 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 75/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at San Diego State University?

At 75/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Business Administration at San Diego State 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 →