Business Administration at Mount Wachusett Community College

Gardner, MA · Public · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

a compact campus enrolling 2,554 students in Gardner, MA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $43,503 at Mount Wachusett Community College come in 22% above the national median of $35,542 for Business Administration programs.

The 38.4x 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 risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Business Administration graduates.

With first-year pay of $43,503 far exceeding the $12,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #181 out of 455 programs, Mount Wachusett Community College's Business Administration offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $43,503 to $46,055 over five years (6% 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.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
70
Low End
74
Score
75
High End
Earnings $43,503/yr (22% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$464K
1.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
38.7x
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)
$12,000
Out-of-state: $21,840
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,055
6% 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 →

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 Mount Wachusett Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Mount Wachusett Community College's Business Administration program score?
This program scores 74/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Business Administration nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Will AI affect Business Administration careers?
AI won't 'replace' Business Administration careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
What's the typical debt for Business Administration graduates from Mount Wachusett Community College?
At $12,000 in median debt, Business Administration graduates from Mount Wachusett Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Business Administration graduates?
There are 28 registered apprenticeships connected to Business Administration occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Business Administration workers?
With approximately 1,753,300 annual openings across mapped careers, Business Administration offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →