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Business · Business Administration Rank #208 of 1169

Business Administrationat Washington and Lee University

Graduates earn $76,627/yr in their first year — about 63.0% above the national Business Administration average. Base-case 10-year earnings $792K; scenarios range from $681K to $819K depending on AI disruption.

Lexington, VA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
71 STRONG
71
Optimistic
66
Pessimistic
Earnings
$76,627
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.2x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$792K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Washington and Lee University

Your strong earnings potential from Washington and Lee's Business Administration program stems from its distinctive blend of a rigorous liberal arts education and targeted business acumen. Top-tier consulting, finance, and corporate management firms actively recruit on campus, valuing W&L graduates for their critical thinking, communication skills, and ethical leadership cultivated in this environment. The powerful alumni network further accelerates career progression, opening doors to executive and strategic roles often seen in your career paths. While the listed AI risk for management roles might seem concerning, it often signifies a shift in responsibilities rather than outright replacement, demanding more strategic oversight and interpersonal finesse. To truly leverage this degree, focus on cultivating these uniquely human leadership qualities—your ability to inspire teams and navigate complex organizational dynamics will be your greatest asset.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$681K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score66/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$792K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple3.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$819K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple3.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Washington and Lee University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Business Administration graduates typically work

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.

1
Chief executives
+4.3% 10-yr growth · 22,200 openings/yr
$206,420/yr
High
2
Computer and information systems managers
+15.2% 10-yr growth · 55,600 openings/yr
$171,200/yr
High
3
Architectural and engineering managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 14,500 openings/yr
$167,740/yr
Moderate
4
Financial managers
+14.8% 10-yr growth · 74,600 openings/yr
$161,700/yr
High
5
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
6
Compensation and benefits managers
+0.2% 10-yr growth · 1,500 openings/yr
$140,360/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Business Administration

How Washington and Lee University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Manhattan College
NY · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$114K
1-yr earn
4.5x
ROI
Top score
Bismarck State College
ND · Public
89
DW Score
$101K
1-yr earn
61.8x
ROI
Maine Maritime Academy
ME · Public
73
DW Score
$99K
1-yr earn
15.7x
ROI
Carnegie Mellon University
PA · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$96K
1-yr earn
5.2x
ROI
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
MI · Public
86
DW Score
$94K
1-yr earn
19.4x
ROI
Also at Washington and Lee University

Other top programs at Washington and Lee University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Washington and Lee 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Business Administration at Washington and Lee University

What does a 71/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at Washington and Lee University?

At 71/100, 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 Washington and Lee 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 Washington and Lee University one of the best schools for Business Administration?

Among 1,169 Business Administration programs, Washington and Lee University's #208 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

What do students actually pay for Business Administration at Washington and Lee University?

The 63% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $258,100. At a net cost of $95,644, the earnings multiple improves substantially.