Business at NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Bentonville, AR · Public · Associate Degree · Business/Commerce, General

a compact campus enrolling 4,632 students in Bentonville, AR.

Program Analysis

At $31,888/yr, Business graduates from NorthWest Arkansas Community College land near the $36,982 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 89.1x 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 46% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

The median debt load of $10,374 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #18 out of 130 programs, NorthWest Arkansas Community College's Business program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $31,888 to $54,965 over five years (72% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

With 8 registered apprenticeships mapped to Business, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

77 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
77
Score
79
High End
Earnings $31,888/yr (-14% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$560K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
93.8x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
16 of 16
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)
$5,964
Out-of-state: $10,044
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,374
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,965
72% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business 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%
Chief executives
$206,420
+4.3% growth 44% AI-proof
Sales managers
$138,060
+4.7% growth 55% AI-proof
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof

View all 16 career paths with full salary data →

Business Career Guide

Explore what Business graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 130 programs nationwide.

Read the full Business career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Overview

Business at Other Schools

Other Majors at NorthWest Arkansas 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 77/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Business at NorthWest Arkansas Community College?
This program scores 77/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Business nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What's the AI risk for Business graduates from NorthWest Arkansas Community College?
The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — NorthWest Arkansas Community College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What makes NorthWest Arkansas Community College's Business program stand out?
The #18 ranking out of 130 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Business graduates?
Beyond NorthWest Arkansas Community College's classroom route, 8 registered apprenticeships map to Business careers — including Health Information Management Business Analyst. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Will Business graduates from NorthWest Arkansas Community College find jobs?
At 832,900 annual openings, Business has a very large employment base. NorthWest Arkansas Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →