Business Administration at Upper Iowa University

Fayette, IA · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

Upper Iowa University has a 93% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 2,021 students in Fayette, IA.

Program Analysis

Upper Iowa University Business Administration graduates command $46,039/yr out of the gate, well above the $35,542 national median. That 30% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 12.7x 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 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $30,822 represents roughly 8 months of the $46,039 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #307 of 455 Business Administration programs, Upper Iowa University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Business Administration offers 28 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
67
Score
69
High End
Earnings $46,039/yr (30% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$482K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
12.7x
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
$38,000
Median Debt at Graduation
$30,822
8.0 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

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 Upper Iowa University?
At 67/100, the score looks reasonable — but Business Administration is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business Administration?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Can I learn Business Administration through an apprenticeship instead?
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.
How many job openings are there for Business Administration graduates?
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 →