Business Administration at San Diego Mesa College

San Diego, CA · Public · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

with a mid-sized student body of 15,899 in San Diego, CA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $40,642/yr, edging above the $35,542 national average for Business Administration — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 250.0x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 29% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Administration career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

San Diego Mesa College ranks #11 among 455 Business Administration programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 38% earnings increase from $40,642 to $55,898 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.

88 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
81
Low End
88
Score
90
High End
Earnings $40,642/yr (14% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$597K
8.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
259.6x
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)
$2,300
Out-of-state: $18,188
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,898
38% 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

Explore what Business Administration graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 455 programs nationwide.

Read the full Business Administration career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Administration Overview

Business Administration at Other Schools

Other Majors at San Diego Mesa 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 San Diego Mesa College's Business Administration program score?
At 88/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
What's the AI risk for Business Administration graduates from San Diego Mesa College?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $425,204 in decade earnings vs $597,052 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Why does San Diego Mesa College rank so high for Business Administration?
The #11 ranking out of 455 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Business Administration?
Beyond San Diego Mesa 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.
Will Business Administration graduates from San Diego Mesa 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 →