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Business Administration at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Fort Smith, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $39,057/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

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

ROI 18.2x earnings multiple (9.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #569 of 1,169 Business Administration programs Top 50%

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	$505K	$504K	$470K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.3x	18.2x	17.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.2x	9.1x	8.5x
Probability of Field Employment	47%	43%	32%
DegreeOutlook Score	62	61	56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$27,624

Out-of-state: $55,080 (9.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$40,388

-46% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,416

5.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$49,573

27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $39,057 per year, Business Administration graduates from University of Arkansas-Fort Smith earn below the $46,892 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 18.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $16,416 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #569 ranking among 1,169 Business Administration programs places University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 27% earnings increase from $39,057 to $49,573 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

With 81% of applicants admitted, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 4,133 students in Fort Smith, AR.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith →

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 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

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 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?

At 61/100, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's Business Administration program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Business Administration at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?

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 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith a good choice for Business Administration despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →