Business/Commerce, General at Columbia College
enrolling 5,359 students in Columbia, MO.
Program Analysis
Graduates earn $41,791/yr, edging above the $36,982 national average for Business/Commerce, General — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.
The 10.6x 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 — 46% task exposure — and the 17% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Business/Commerce, General graduates.
The $23,258 debt-to-$41,791 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #108 out of 130 programs, Columbia College's financial outcomes for Business/Commerce, General trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $41,791 to $50,670 shows 21% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable 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.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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.
Compare & Explore
Business/Commerce, General Overview
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