Business Administration at Boston University

Boston, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
69 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
70
Optimistic
69
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $71,545/yr (53% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #254 of 1,169 Business Administration programs Top 25%

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 $786K $762K $659K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 2.9x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 70 69 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$260,672
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$107,984
59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,196
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$102,943
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $71,545 put Boston University's Business Administration program 53% above the national median of $46,892 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

An earnings multiple of 2.9x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $71,545 far exceeding the $23,196 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #254 out of 1,169 programs, Boston University's Business Administration program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $71,545 to $102,943 shows 44% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Boston University

Boston University's 11% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, with a mid-sized student body of 17,850 in Boston, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $107,984 — 59% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Boston 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 Boston University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Boston University's Business Administration program score?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Business Administration graduates.
How vulnerable is Business Administration to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Business Administration careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Boston University rank so high for Business Administration?
The #254 ranking out of 1,169 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
How affordable is Business Administration at Boston University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $260,672, but the average net cost is $107,984 — a 59% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →