Home › College of the Desert › Business Administration

Business Administration at College of the Desert

Palm Desert, CA · Public · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

with a mid-sized student body of 8,900 in Palm Desert, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,934 place College of the Desert below the $35,542 national median for Business Administration — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 162.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 47% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Ranked #117 out of 455 programs, College of the Desert's Business Administration offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $25,934 to $54,334 over five years (110% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

With 28 registered apprenticeships mapped to Business Administration, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

77 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
77
Score
79
High End
Earnings $25,934/yr (-27% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$455K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
171.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
42 of 42
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$2,652
Out-of-state: $19,172
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,334
110% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business Administration graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Chief executives $206,420 +4.3% 44%
Computer and information systems managers $171,200 +15.2% 47%
Architectural and engineering managers $167,740 +3.8% 59%
Chief executives
$206,420
+4.3% growth 44% AI-proof
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
+15.2% growth 47% AI-proof
Architectural and engineering managers
$167,740
+3.8% growth 59% AI-proof

View all 42 career paths with full salary data →

Business Administration Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Business Administration — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from College of the Desert and 454 other schools.

Read the full Business Administration career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Administration Overview

View all 455 schools offering Business Administration →

Business Administration at Other Schools

University of Georgia ($77,610) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach ($74,402) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide ($74,402) Purdue University-Main Campus ($71,977) Ohio State University-Main Campus ($66,278) Northcentral Technical College ($60,405) William Rainey Harper College ($59,982) Oklahoma State University-Main Campus ($58,087)

Other Majors at College of the Desert

Nursing ($91,848) Criminal Justice ($32,482) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($30,417) Psychology ($25,792)

Explore the Degree Alternative

Compare Business Administration degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 77/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at College of the Desert?
At 77/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook 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 College of the Desert?
AI exposure of 47% is a real factor. For College of the Desert specifically, the gap between optimistic ($455,110) and pessimistic ($271,327) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Can you still earn well with Business Administration from College of the Desert?
Starting salary is one data point. If College of the Desert's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Business Administration?
Beyond College of the Desert's classroom route, 28 registered apprenticeships map to Business Administration careers — including Bank Branch Manager. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Business Administration graduates?
The very large job market (1,753,300 annual openings) works in favor of Business Administration graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →