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Business Administration at University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
69 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
69
Optimistic
69
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $71,668/yr (53% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #249 of 1,169 Business Administration programs Top 25%

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 $798K $773K $667K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.8x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 69 69 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$272,948
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$127,708
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,750
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$104,833
46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $71,668 per year, Business Administration graduates from University of Southern California significantly outpace the $46,892 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

An earnings multiple of 2.8x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $15,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #249 out of 1,169 programs, University of Southern California's Business Administration program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $71,668 to $104,833 shows 46% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Southern California

With just 10% of applicants admitted, University of Southern California ranks among the nation's most selective schools, one of the larger campuses at 20,817 students in Los Angeles, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern California →

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

Compare this program → View all 1169 schools offering Business Administration →

Business Administration at Other Schools

Manhattan College ($113,777) Bismarck State College ($100,668) Maine Maritime Academy ($98,743) Carnegie Mellon University ($95,891) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($93,674) University of Pennsylvania ($91,443) University of California-Berkeley ($90,008) Emory University ($85,682)

Other Majors at University of Southern California

Computer Science ($137,284) Computer Software and Media Applications ($103,071) Real Estate ($98,763) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($89,684) Industrial Engineering ($87,807) Civil Engineering ($85,262) Mechanical Engineering ($83,356) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($80,508)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Business Administration trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

How does University of Southern California's Business Administration program score?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Business Administration graduates.
How vulnerable is Business Administration to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Business Administration careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of Southern California rank so high for Business Administration?
The #249 ranking out of 1,169 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
How affordable is Business Administration at University of Southern California after financial aid?
Sticker price is $272,948, but the average net cost is $127,708 — a 53% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →