Business Administration at Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
72
Base Case
67
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,316/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 15.9x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #161 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 $629K $618K $553K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.2x 15.9x 14.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.5x 6.4x 5.7x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 72 67

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,848
Out-of-state: $97,248 (6.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,324
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,748
53% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $46,316 track close to the $46,892 national median for Business Administration programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 15.9x 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.

At $20,000 in median debt against $46,316 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Colorado Mesa University ranks #161 among 1,169 Business Administration programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $46,316-to-$70,748 earnings arc over five years reflects a 53% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University has a 81% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 7,604 students in Grand Junction, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Colorado Mesa 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 72/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at Colorado Mesa University?
At 72/100, 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 Colorado Mesa 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 Colorado Mesa University one of the best schools for Business Administration?
Among 1,169 Business Administration programs, Colorado Mesa University's #161 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →