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Business Administration at Polk State College

Winter Haven, FL · Public · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

enrolling 5,954 students in Winter Haven, FL.

Program Analysis

Polk State College's Business Administration graduates start at $38,868/yr — above the $35,542 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 67.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Administration career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $8,924 in median debt clears fast against $38,868 in annual earnings.

Polk State College ranks #102 among 455 Business Administration programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $38,868 to $44,925 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

78 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
78
Score
80
High End
Earnings $38,868/yr (9% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$460K
3.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
68.3x
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)
$6,732
Out-of-state: $24,544
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,924
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,925
16% 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

What can you do with a Business Administration credential from Polk State College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

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 Polk State College

Nursing ($69,158) Allied Health Professions ($60,894) Allied Health Professions ($58,088) Criminal Justice ($53,333) Health Administration ($35,095) Medical Assisting ($34,429) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($27,184)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Business Administration degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 78/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at Polk State College?
This program scores 78/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Business Administration nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
How vulnerable is Business Administration to AI automation?
AI exposure of 47% is a real factor. For Polk State College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($459,935) and pessimistic ($406,645) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
What's the typical debt for Business Administration graduates from Polk State College?
At $8,924 in median debt, Business Administration graduates from Polk State College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
What makes Polk State College's Business Administration program stand out?
Among 455 Business Administration programs, Polk State College's #102 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Business Administration graduates?
There are 28 registered apprenticeships connected to Business Administration occupations, such as Bank Branch Manager and Bank Branch Manager (Financial Manager, Branch Or Department, Project Management (Banking/Finance). The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Will Business Administration graduates from Polk State College find jobs?
The very large job market (1,753,300 annual openings) works in favor of Business Administration graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →