Business Administration at Columbia Basin College

Pasco, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
76
Optimistic
76
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $48,411/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 24.3x earnings multiple (18.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #79 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 $613K $603K $543K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 24.7x 24.3x 21.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 18.6x 18.3x 16.5x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 76 76 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$24,776
Out-of-state: $32,956 (18.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$33,208
-34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,042
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$69,169
43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $48,411/yr, roughly in line with the $46,892 national median for Business Administration. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 24.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 11% 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 $48,411 far exceeding the $11,042 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #79 of 1,169 programs, this Business Administration program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

A 43% earnings increase from $48,411 to $69,169 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Columbia Basin College

a compact campus enrolling 4,226 students in Pasco, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Columbia Basin College →

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 Columbia Basin College

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 76/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at Columbia Basin College?
At 76/100, 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 Columbia Basin College?
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 →