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Business Administration at East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,041/yr (-21% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

ROI 13.1x earnings multiple (9.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #772 of 1,169 Business Administration programs

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	$523K	$521K	$483K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.1x	13.1x	12.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.5x	9.4x	8.7x
Probability of Field Employment	47%	43%	32%
DegreeOutlook Score	57	57	52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$39,800

Out-of-state: $55,160 (9.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$63,176

-59% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,500

6.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$51,918

40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

East Tennessee State University's Business Administration graduates start at $37,041/yr, trailing the $46,892 national average by 21%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Business Administration programs nationally.

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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,500 in median debt clears quickly against $37,041 in annual earnings.

Ranked #772 of 1,169 Business Administration programs, East Tennessee State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $37,041 to $51,918 over five years — a 40% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About East Tennessee State University

A 87% acceptance rate means East Tennessee State University is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 9,807 students in Johnson City, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at East Tennessee State 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 East Tennessee State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Business Administration at East Tennessee State University?

This program scores 57/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Business Administration programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

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 $482,541 in decade earnings vs $523,344 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Business Administration from East Tennessee State University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →