Business at College of Western Idaho

Nampa, ID · Public · Associate Degree · Business/Commerce, General

enrolling 5,898 students in Nampa, ID.

Program Analysis

College of Western Idaho's Business program produces graduates earning $31,455/yr — within striking distance of the $36,982 national average for this trade.

The 76.8x 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 46% of job tasks, producing a 39% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,000 in median debt clears fast against $31,455 in annual earnings.

Ranked #32 out of 130 programs, College of Western Idaho's Business program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $31,455 to $48,627 over five years (55% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

With 8 registered apprenticeships mapped to Business, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

75 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
75
Score
77
High End
Earnings $31,455/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$539K
11.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
80.8x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
16 of 16
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)
$6,672
Out-of-state: $14,688
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,000
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,627
55% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Chief executives $206,420 +4.3% 44%
Sales managers $138,060 +4.7% 55%
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
Chief executives
$206,420
+4.3% growth 44% AI-proof
Sales managers
$138,060
+4.7% growth 55% AI-proof
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof

View all 16 career paths with full salary data →

Business Career Guide

Explore what Business graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 130 programs nationwide.

Read the full Business career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Overview

Business at Other Schools

Other Majors at College of Western Idaho

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Business at College of Western Idaho?
A score of 75/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. College of Western Idaho's Business graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
What's the AI risk for Business graduates from College of Western Idaho?
With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $329,089 in decade earnings vs $538,971 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What's the typical debt for Business graduates from College of Western Idaho?
At $9,000 in median debt, Business graduates from College of Western Idaho carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Is College of Western Idaho one of the best schools for Business?
Ranked #32 of 130 programs nationally, College of Western Idaho lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Business program at College of Western Idaho?
If College of Western Idaho's tuition gives you pause, consider that 8 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Business. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Is there demand for Business workers?
Job availability for Business is strong — 832,900 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For College of Western Idaho graduates specifically, local market conditions in ID may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →