Business Administration at San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
77 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
78
Optimistic
77
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $48,184/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 22.7x earnings multiple (8.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #46 of 1,169 Business Administration programs Top 5%

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 $690K $673K $594K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 23.2x 22.7x 20.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.9x 8.7x 7.7x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 78 77 71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,696
Out-of-state: $77,216 (8.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,528
-74% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,995
66% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $48,184/yr, roughly in line with the $46,892 national median for Business Administration. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 22.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 14% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $48,184 far exceeding the $15,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

San Francisco State University ranks #46 among 1,169 Business Administration programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $48,184-to-$79,995 earnings arc over five years reflects a 66% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 20,033 students enrolled in San Francisco, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at San Francisco 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

Business Administration at Other Schools

Other Majors at San Francisco State University

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 does a 77/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at San Francisco State University?
At 77/100, 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 Francisco 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.
Is San Francisco State University one of the best schools for Business Administration?
Among 1,169 Business Administration programs, San Francisco State University's #46 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →