Business/Commerce, General at Wartburg College

Waverly, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
60
Optimistic
59
Base Case
54
Pessimistic
Earnings $54,652/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)
ROI 3.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #163 of 242 Business/Commerce, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Business/Commerce, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $622K $612K $551K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 3.0x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 59 54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$204,160
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$90,416
56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$71,653
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $54,652 at Wartburg College come in 13% above the national median of $48,211 for Business/Commerce, General programs.

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/Commerce, General career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $54,652 far exceeding the $27,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #163 ranking among 242 Business/Commerce, General programs places Wartburg College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 31% earnings increase from $54,652 to $71,653 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Wartburg College

Wartburg College accepts 99% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,446 students in Waverly, IA. The average net cost of $90,416 over four years represents a 56% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Wartburg College →

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr
Sales managers $138,060/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
View all 16 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Business/Commerce, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at Wartburg College

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 59/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business/Commerce, General at Wartburg College?
At 59/100, the score looks reasonable — but Business/Commerce, General 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/Commerce, General at Wartburg College?
The 46% 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/Commerce, General at Wartburg College?
The 56% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $204,160. At a net cost of $90,416, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →