Business Administration at Des Moines Area Community College

Ankeny, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

serving 10,406 students in Ankeny, IA.

Program Analysis

At $35,852/yr, Business Administration graduates from Des Moines Area Community College land near the $35,542 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 33.8x 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 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 median debt load of $10,434 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #294 out of 455 programs, Des Moines Area Community College's financial outcomes for Business Administration trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $35,852 to $36,421 over five years (2% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

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

68 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
64
Low End
68
Score
70
High End
Earnings $35,852/yr (1% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$375K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
33.8x
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)
$11,100
Out-of-state: $22,200
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,434
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,421
2% 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

Business Administration at Other Schools

Other Majors at Des Moines Area Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 68/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at Des Moines Area Community College?
At 68/100, 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.
What's the AI risk for Business Administration graduates from Des Moines Area Community College?
AI won't eliminate Business Administration careers, but it may reshape them. At Des Moines Area Community College, a score of 68/100 already accounts for the 47% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
What's the typical debt for Business Administration graduates from Des Moines Area Community College?
At $10,434 in median debt, Business Administration graduates from Des Moines Area Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Business Administration graduates?
If Des Moines Area Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 28 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Business Administration. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the job market like for Business Administration from Des Moines Area Community College?
The career paths mapped to Business Administration have roughly 1,753,300 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →