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Business Administration at Washington and Lee University

Lexington, VA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
71
Optimistic
71
Base Case
66
Pessimistic
Earnings $76,627/yr (63% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #208 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 $819K $792K $681K
Earnings Multiple 3.2x 3.1x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 71 71 66

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$258,100
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,644
63% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$109,628
43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Washington and Lee University Business Administration graduates command $76,627/yr out of the gate, well above the $46,892 national median. That 63% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

At 3.1x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Washington and Lee University ranks #208 among 1,169 Business Administration programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 43% earnings increase from $76,627 to $109,628 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Washington and Lee University

Admission to Washington and Lee University is competitive, with 17% of applicants accepted, a compact campus enrolling 1,884 students in Lexington, VA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $95,644 — 63% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Washington and Lee 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

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 Washington and Lee University

Accounting and Related Services ($81,625) Economics ($71,737)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Business Administration trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 71/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at Washington and Lee University?
At 71/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business Administration at Washington and Lee 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.
Is Washington and Lee University one of the best schools for Business Administration?
Among 1,169 Business Administration programs, Washington and Lee University's #208 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What do students actually pay for Business Administration at Washington and Lee University?
The 63% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $258,100. At a net cost of $95,644, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →