Business/Commerce, General at Arkansas State University-Beebe

Beebe, AR · Public · Associate Degree

a compact campus enrolling 1,902 students in Beebe, AR.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $23,663 place Arkansas State University-Beebe below the $36,982 national median for Business/Commerce, General — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 61.3x 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 46% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

With first-year pay of $23,663 far exceeding the $7,650 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #97 out of 130 programs, Arkansas State University-Beebe's financial outcomes for Business/Commerce, General trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $23,663 to $42,103 over five years (78% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

With 8 registered apprenticeships mapped to Business/Commerce, General, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
66
Score
68
High End
Earnings $23,663/yr (-36% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$415K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
64.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
16 of 16
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)
$6,432
Out-of-state: $10,080
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,650
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,103
78% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business/Commerce, General graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Chief executives $206,420 +4.3% 44%
Sales managers $138,060 +4.7% 55%
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
Chief executives
$206,420
+4.3% growth 44% AI-proof
Sales managers
$138,060
+4.7% growth 55% AI-proof
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof

View all 16 career paths with full salary data →

About Business/Commerce, General Careers

Your career in business often starts by mastering a specific function. You might begin as a project coordinator, using tools like Asana and Slack to keep teams on schedule, or as a management analyst, digging into spreadsheets and interviewing staff to pinpoint how a company can improve efficiency. Your days are a mix of collaboration, problem-solving, and communicating your findings to leadership. As you gain experience, you’ll progress from executing tasks to directing them, becoming an operations manager who oversees a department’s budget and staff or a sales manager leading a team to hit its targets.

Read the full Business/Commerce, General career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business/Commerce, General Overview

Business/Commerce, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at Arkansas State University-Beebe

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Business/Commerce, General at Arkansas State University-Beebe?
At 66/100, the score looks reasonable — but Business/Commerce, General is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
How vulnerable is Business/Commerce, General to AI automation?
With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $247,569 in decade earnings vs $415,256 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Why are Business/Commerce, General earnings lower at Arkansas State University-Beebe?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Are there apprenticeship options for Business/Commerce, General?
Business/Commerce, General connects to 8 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/Commerce, General workers?
With approximately 832,900 annual openings across mapped careers, Business/Commerce, General 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 →