Business at Columbia College

Columbia, MO · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Business/Commerce, General

enrolling 5,359 students in Columbia, MO.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $41,791/yr, edging above the $36,982 national average for Business — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

The 10.6x 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 risk is moderate — 46% task exposure — and the 17% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Business graduates.

The $23,258 debt-to-$41,791 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #108 out of 130 programs, Columbia College's financial outcomes for Business trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $41,791 to $50,670 shows 21% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
65
Score
67
High End
Earnings $41,791/yr (13% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$524K
4.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
10.8x
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
$48,652
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,258
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,670
21% 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 Columbia College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Business at Columbia College?
At 65/100, the score looks reasonable — but Business is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Will AI affect Business careers?
Our scenarios model 46% of Business tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Columbia College's 65/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Can I learn Business through an apprenticeship instead of Columbia College?
Beyond Columbia College's classroom route, 8 registered apprenticeships map to Business careers — including Health Information Management Business Analyst. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Will Business graduates from Columbia College find jobs?
At 832,900 annual openings, Business has a very large employment base. Columbia College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →