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Business Administration at Pasadena City College

Pasadena, CA · Public · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

one of the larger campuses at 20,624 students in Pasadena, CA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $20,816/yr fall 41% below the $35,542 national median for Business Administration. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 146.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Business Administration programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 47% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Business Administration graduates.

At #198 of 455 Business Administration programs, Pasadena City College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $56,767 show a 173% jump from the $20,816 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Business Administration offers 28 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
64
Low End
73
Score
75
High End
Earnings $20,816/yr (-41% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$365K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
154.8x
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)
$2,360
Out-of-state: $21,512
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,767
173% 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

See the full career breakdown for Business Administration — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Pasadena City College and 454 other schools.

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 Pasadena City College

Nursing ($90,156) Social Sciences ($29,847) Criminal Justice ($28,492) Psychology ($24,894)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Business Administration degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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 Pasadena City College?
A score of 73/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Pasadena City College's Business Administration graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
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 — Pasadena City College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Pasadena City College a good choice for Business Administration despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Pasadena City College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Business Administration graduates?
Beyond Pasadena City College's classroom route, 28 registered apprenticeships map to Business Administration careers — including Bank Branch Manager. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Is there demand for Business Administration workers?
At 1,753,300 annual openings, Business Administration has a very large employment base. Pasadena City 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 →