Business Administration at Prairie State College

Chicago Heights, IL · Public · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

a smaller institution with 2,448 students in Chicago Heights, IL.

Program Analysis

Prairie State College's Business Administration graduates start at $18,885/yr, trailing the $35,542 national average by 47%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 37.5x 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 exposure is significant at 47% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

The $12,100 debt-to-$18,885 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #420 out of 455 programs, Prairie State College's financial outcomes for Business Administration trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $18,885 to $34,917 over five years (85% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

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

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
49
Low End
58
Score
60
High End
Earnings $18,885/yr (-47% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$331K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
39.7x
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)
$8,352
Out-of-state: $22,128
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,100
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,917
85% 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 Prairie State 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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Business Administration at Prairie State College?
This program scores 58/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Business Administration programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI affect Business Administration careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $197,579 in decade earnings vs $331,409 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Business Administration from Prairie State College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Prairie State 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?
Business Administration connects to 28 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
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 →