Business Administration at McDaniel College

Westminster, MD · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
64 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
64
Optimistic
64
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $59,048/yr (26% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #475 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 $656K $642K $571K
Earnings Multiple 3.3x 3.2x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 64 64 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$198,588
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$83,692
58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,062
34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $59,048 per year, Business Administration graduates from McDaniel College significantly outpace the $46,892 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

At 3.2x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $25,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #475 ranking among 1,169 Business Administration programs places McDaniel College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 34% earnings increase from $59,048 to $79,062 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About McDaniel College

With 84% of applicants admitted, McDaniel College prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 1,652 students in Westminster, MD. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $83,692 — 58% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at McDaniel 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

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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 does a 64/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at McDaniel College?
At 64/100, McDaniel College's Business Administration program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business Administration at McDaniel 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.
What do students actually pay for Business Administration at McDaniel College?
The 58% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $198,588. At a net cost of $83,692, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →