Business Administration at California State University-Monterey Bay

Seaside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
75 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
76
Optimistic
75
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,825/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 21.0x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #112 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 $637K $625K $559K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.4x 21.0x 18.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.2x 8.1x 7.2x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 76 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)
$29,748
Out-of-state: $77,268 (8.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$57,948
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$72,547
52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $47,825/yr, roughly in line with the $46,892 national median for Business Administration. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 21.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 12% 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 $47,825 far exceeding the $13,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #112 of 1,169 programs, this Business Administration program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $47,825-to-$72,547 earnings arc over five years reflects a 52% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Monterey Bay

California State University-Monterey Bay accepts 95% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 5,811 in Seaside, CA. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Monterey Bay →

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 California State University-Monterey Bay

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

What does a 75/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at California State University-Monterey Bay?
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 California State University-Monterey Bay?
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 →