Business Administration at Pacific Lutheran University

Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
58 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
59
Optimistic
58
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,919/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #733 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 $611K $602K $542K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 3.0x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 59 58 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$203,856
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$85,480
58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,750
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,355
33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Pacific Lutheran University's Business Administration graduates start at $52,919/yr — above the $46,892 national average, though not by a wide margin.

At 3.0x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,750 in median debt clears quickly against $52,919 in annual earnings.

A #733 ranking among 1,169 Business Administration programs places Pacific Lutheran University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 33% earnings increase from $52,919 to $70,355 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Pacific Lutheran University

A 81% acceptance rate means Pacific Lutheran University is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 2,350 students in Tacoma, WA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $85,480 — 58% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Pacific Lutheran 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 Pacific Lutheran 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 does a 58/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at Pacific Lutheran University?
At 58/100, the score looks reasonable — but Business Administration is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business Administration at Pacific Lutheran 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.
What do students actually pay for Business Administration at Pacific Lutheran University?
The 58% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $203,856. At a net cost of $85,480, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →