Business Administration at Des Moines Area Community College
serving 10,406 students in Ankeny, IA.
Program Analysis
At $35,852/yr, Business Administration graduates from Des Moines Area Community College land near the $35,542 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
The 33.8x 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 risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Business Administration graduates.
The median debt load of $10,434 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.
At #294 out of 455 programs, Des Moines Area Community College's financial outcomes for Business Administration trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth is modest: $35,852 to $36,421 over five years (2% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.
With 28 registered apprenticeships mapped to Business Administration, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
About Business Administration Careers
Your career will likely begin on the front lines as a supervisor, where your day revolves around people. You’ll be creating work schedules, training new hires on office procedures, approving timesheets, and serving as the go-to person for your team’s daily questions. With experience, you can advance into an operations manager role. Here, your focus shifts to the bigger picture: analyzing performance data in spreadsheets to find efficiencies, managing departmental budgets, and solving logistical puzzles to keep the entire business running smoothly.
Compare & Explore
Business Administration Overview
Business Administration at Other Schools
Other Majors at Des Moines Area Community College
How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?
Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.