Business Administration at Pasadena City College
one of the larger campuses at 20,624 students in Pasadena, CA.
Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $20,816/yr fall 41% below the $35,542 national median for Business Administration. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 146.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Business Administration programs nationally.
The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 47% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Business Administration graduates.
At #198 of 455 Business Administration programs, Pasadena City College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $56,767 show a 173% jump from the $20,816 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.
Business Administration offers 28 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
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 Pasadena City College
Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?
Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.