Home › Cuesta College › Business Administration

Business Administration at Cuesta College

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

serving 6,879 students in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Program Analysis

At $29,983 per year, Business Administration graduates from Cuesta College earn below the $35,542 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 185.8x 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 47% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Ranked #76 out of 455 programs, Cuesta College's Business Administration program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $29,983 to $56,729 over five years (89% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

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

80 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
80
Score
82
High End
Earnings $29,983/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$526K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
196.3x
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 (In-State)
$2,680
Out-of-state: $22,000
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,729
89% growth from Year 1

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 →

Business Administration Career Guide

Business Administration opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Business Administration career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Administration Overview

View all 455 schools offering Business Administration →

Business Administration at Other Schools

University of Georgia ($77,610) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach ($74,402) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide ($74,402) Purdue University-Main Campus ($71,977) Ohio State University-Main Campus ($66,278) Northcentral Technical College ($60,405) William Rainey Harper College ($59,982) Oklahoma State University-Main Campus ($58,087)

Other Majors at Cuesta College

Nursing ($99,000)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Business Administration degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 80/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at Cuesta College?
This program scores 80/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Business Administration nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What's the AI risk for Business Administration graduates from Cuesta College?
AI exposure of 47% is a real factor. For Cuesta College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($526,164) and pessimistic ($313,689) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
What makes Cuesta College's Business Administration program stand out?
Ranked #76 of 455 programs nationally, Cuesta College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Is Cuesta College a good choice for Business Administration despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Cuesta College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Business Administration program at Cuesta College?
Yes — 28 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Business Administration career paths, including Bank Branch Manager. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Cuesta College.
Will Business Administration graduates from Cuesta College find jobs?
With approximately 1,753,300 annual openings across mapped careers, Business Administration offers a very large employment pool. Cuesta College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →