Business Administration at Drake University

Des Moines, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,806/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #581 of 1,169 Business Administration programs Top 50%

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 $699K $682K $600K
Earnings Multiple 3.5x 3.4x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$199,776
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$120,168
40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,053
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$81,031
69% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $47,806/yr, roughly in line with the $46,892 national median for Business Administration. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

An earnings multiple of 3.4x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Business Administration's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 14% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $47,806 far exceeding the $17,053 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #581 of 1,169 Business Administration programs, Drake University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $81,031 show a 69% jump from the $47,806 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Drake University

A 64% admission rate makes Drake University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a compact campus enrolling 2,669 students in Des Moines, IA. The average net cost of $120,168 over four years represents a 40% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Drake 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 Drake 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Business Administration at Drake University?
A score of 61/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Business Administration field.
Will AI replace Business Administration careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $600,182 in decade earnings vs $698,559 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →