Business Administration at Generations College

Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

a smaller institution with 317 students in Chicago, IL.

Program Analysis

Generations College's Business Administration graduates start at $17,776/yr, trailing the $35,542 national average by 50%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

At 7.3x the cost of tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

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 $30,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $17,776 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #455 out of 455 programs, Generations College's financial outcomes for Business Administration trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

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

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
43
Low End
49
Score
51
High End
Earnings $17,776/yr (-50% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$186K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
7.3x
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
$25,400
Median Debt at Graduation
$30,000
20.3 months of Year 1 earnings

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 →

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.

Read the full Business Administration career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Administration Overview

Business Administration at Other Schools

Other Majors at Generations College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 49/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at Generations College?
At 49/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Business Administration programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How vulnerable is Business Administration to AI automation?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $185,977 in decade earnings vs $185,977 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Do Generations College Business Administration graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.7x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
Why are Business Administration earnings lower at Generations College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Generations College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Business Administration graduates?
Yes — 28 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Business Administration career paths, including Bank Branch Manager. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Business Administration graduates?
The career paths mapped to Business Administration have roughly 1,753,300 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →