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Business Administration at Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
77 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
77
Optimistic
77
Base Case
73
Pessimistic
Earnings $95,891/yr (104% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 4.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #52 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 $1,114K $1,063K $879K
Earnings Multiple 4.4x 4.2x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 77 77 73

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$255,316
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$126,684
50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$159,088
66% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $95,891 put Carnegie Mellon University's Business Administration program 104% above the national median of $46,892 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 4.2x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 21% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $95,891 far exceeding the $23,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #52 out of 1,169 programs, Carnegie Mellon University's Business Administration program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $95,891 to $159,088 over five years (66% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University's 11% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, serving 7,187 students in Pittsburgh, PA. The average net cost of $126,684 over four years represents a 50% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Carnegie Mellon 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

Compare this program → View all 1169 schools offering Business Administration →

Business Administration at Other Schools

Manhattan College ($113,777) Bismarck State College ($100,668) Maine Maritime Academy ($98,743) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($93,674) University of Pennsylvania ($91,443) University of California-Berkeley ($90,008) Emory University ($85,682) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($85,618)

Other Majors at Carnegie Mellon University

Computer Science ($171,264) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($139,337) Systems Science and Theory ($95,598) Statistics ($93,111) Economics ($86,284) Mechanical Engineering ($76,523) Design and Applied Arts ($66,274) Architectural Sciences and Technology ($48,514)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Business Administration trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Carnegie Mellon University's Business Administration program score?
A score of 77/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Carnegie Mellon University's Business Administration graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
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 Carnegie Mellon University rank so high for Business Administration?
The #52 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 Carnegie Mellon University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $255,316, but the average net cost is $126,684 — a 50% 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 →