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Business Administration at Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $55,660/yr (19% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

ROI 10.1x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #169 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	$629K	$617K	$553K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.3x	10.1x	9.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.2x	8.1x	7.2x
Probability of Field Employment	47%	43%	32%
DegreeOutlook Score	72	72	66

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$61,192

Out-of-state: $76,392 (8.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$74,804

-22% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,000

5.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$73,821

33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $55,660 per year, Business Administration graduates from Western Michigan University earn slightly above the $46,892 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 10.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $25,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

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

A 33% earnings increase from $55,660 to $73,821 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Western Michigan University

With 85% of applicants admitted, Western Michigan University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 12,704 students in Kalamazoo, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Michigan 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 72/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at Western Michigan University?

At 72/100, 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 Western Michigan 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 Western Michigan University one of the best schools for Business Administration?

Among 1,169 Business Administration programs, Western Michigan University's #169 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →