Business at Clark College

Vancouver, WA · Public · Associate Degree · Business/Commerce, General

with a smaller student body of 4,699 in Vancouver, WA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $40,313 at Clark College come in 9% above the national median of $36,982 for Business programs.

With a 68.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Business carry above-average AI exposure (46% of tasks). The 37% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

With first-year pay of $40,313 far exceeding the $10,325 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #11 of 130 programs, this Business program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $40,313-to-$60,811 earnings arc over five years reflects a 51% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

The 8 apprenticeship pathways connected to Business reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

79 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
70
Low End
79
Score
81
High End
Earnings $40,313/yr (9% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$668K
10.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
72.2x
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)
$9,264
Out-of-state: $20,760
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,325
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,811
51% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business 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 →

Business Career Guide

Explore what Business graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 130 programs nationwide.

Read the full Business career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Overview

Business at Other Schools

Other Majors at Clark College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Clark College's Business program score?
A score of 79/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Clark College's Business graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI affect Business careers?
AI won't eliminate Business careers, but it may reshape them. At Clark College, a score of 79/100 already accounts for the 46% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
How affordable is Business at Clark College?
At $10,325 in median debt, Business graduates from Clark College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Are there apprenticeship options for Business?
Beyond Clark College's classroom route, 8 registered apprenticeships map to Business careers — including Health Information Management Business Analyst. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Is there demand for Business workers?
The very large job market (832,900 annual openings) works in favor of Business graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →