Business Administration at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
64 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
64
Optimistic
64
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,925/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #483 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 $859K $829K $708K
Earnings Multiple 3.5x 3.4x 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)
$247,536
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$132,556
46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$100,765
110% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $47,925 track close to the $46,892 national median for Business Administration programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

At 3.4x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $25,000 against $47,925/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #483 ranking among 1,169 Business Administration programs places Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $47,925-to-$100,765 earnings arc over five years reflects a 110% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

With a 58% acceptance rate, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is moderately selective, enrolling 5,909 students in Troy, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $132,556 over four years — 46% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute →

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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
At 64/100, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute'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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
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 →