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Business Administration at Portland Community College

Portland, OR · Public · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

with a mid-sized student body of 18,365 in Portland, OR.

Program Analysis

At $44,172 per year, Business Administration graduates from Portland Community College earn slightly above the $35,542 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 49.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Business Administration programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Business Administration's career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $12,800 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #132 of 455 Business Administration programs, Portland Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $49,470 are relatively flat compared to the $44,172 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

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

77 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
77
Score
79
High End
Earnings $44,172/yr (24% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$503K
2.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
49.9x
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)
$10,080
Out-of-state: $20,160
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,800
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,470
12% 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 Portland Community 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 Portland Community College

Industrial Production Technology ($78,450) Nursing ($78,033) Allied Health Professions ($72,204) Biomedical Engineering ($63,642) Construction Management Technology ($63,103) Dental Assisting ($58,410) Drafting & Design Technology ($54,198) Vehicle Repair Technology ($48,144)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Business Administration degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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 Administration at Portland Community College?
This program scores 77/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Business Administration nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Will AI affect Business Administration careers?
AI exposure of 47% is a real factor. For Portland Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($503,416) and pessimistic ($462,136) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
What's the typical debt for Business Administration graduates from Portland Community College?
Median debt of just $12,800 against $44,172/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Business Administration program at Portland Community College?
If Portland Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 28 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Business Administration. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
How many job openings are there for Business Administration graduates?
With approximately 1,753,300 annual openings across mapped careers, Business Administration offers a very large employment pool. Portland Community College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →