Business Administration at Grand Rapids Community College

Grand Rapids, MI · Public · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

enrolling 10,530 students in Grand Rapids, MI.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $41,712/yr, edging above the $35,542 national average for Business Administration — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 53.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Administration career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $14,500 in median debt against $41,712 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #123 ranking among 455 Business Administration programs places Grand Rapids Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The 28 apprenticeship pathways connected to Business Administration reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

77 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
77
Score
79
High End
Earnings $41,712/yr (17% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$42K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
53.8x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
42 of 42
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$8,118
Out-of-state: $23,718
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,500
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,885
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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 →

About Business Administration Careers

Your career will likely begin on the front lines as a supervisor, where your day revolves around people. You’ll be creating work schedules, training new hires on office procedures, approving timesheets, and serving as the go-to person for your team’s daily questions. With experience, you can advance into an operations manager role. Here, your focus shifts to the bigger picture: analyzing performance data in spreadsheets to find efficiencies, managing departmental budgets, and solving logistical puzzles to keep the entire business running smoothly.

Read the full Business Administration career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Administration Overview

Business Administration at Other Schools

Other Majors at Grand Rapids Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Business Administration at Grand Rapids Community College?
At 77/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Will AI affect Business Administration careers?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Can I learn Business Administration through an apprenticeship instead?
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 certificate programs.
Is there demand for Business Administration workers?
The career paths mapped to Business Administration have roughly 1,753,300 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →