Business Administration at Portland Community College
with a mid-sized student body of 18,365 in Portland, OR.
Program Analysis
At $44,172 per year, Business Administration graduates from Portland Community College earn slightly above the $35,542 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 49.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Business Administration programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Business Administration's career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $12,800 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.
At #132 of 455 Business Administration programs, Portland Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $49,470 are relatively flat compared to the $44,172 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.
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 Portland Community College
How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?
Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.