Business Administration at American National University

Salem, VA · Private for-profit · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

with a smaller student body of 643 in Salem, VA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $33,642/yr, roughly in line with the $35,542 national median for Business Administration. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 16.4x 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 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Business Administration graduates.

The $18,477 debt-to-$33,642 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #372 out of 455 programs, American National University's financial outcomes for Business Administration trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

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

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
62
Score
64
High End
Earnings $33,642/yr (-5% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$34K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple
16.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
42 of 42
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition
$21,470
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,477
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,943
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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 American National University

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 62/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at American National University?
At 62/100, 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.
How vulnerable is Business Administration to AI automation?
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.
Are there apprenticeship options for Business Administration?
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?
The career paths mapped to Business Administration have roughly 1,753,300 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →