Business Administration at Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Kalamazoo, MI · Public · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

a smaller institution with 4,885 students in Kalamazoo, MI.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $29,315/yr fall 18% below the $35,542 national median for Business Administration. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 55.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Business Administration carry above-average AI exposure (47% of tasks). The 34% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At $12,500 in median debt against $29,315 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #257 ranking among 455 Business Administration programs places Kalamazoo Valley Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 47% earnings increase from $29,315 to $42,956 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
70
Score
72
High End
Earnings $29,315/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$468K
10.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
57.8x
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)
$8,092
Out-of-state: $17,752
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,500
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,956
47% 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 →

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 Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Business Administration program score?
This program scores 70/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Business Administration programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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.
Why are Business Administration earnings lower at Kalamazoo Valley Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Kalamazoo Valley Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Business Administration through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 28 registered apprenticeships connected to Business Administration occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Business Administration workers?
With approximately 1,753,300 annual openings across mapped careers, Business Administration offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →