Home › Southern Maine Community College › Business Administration

Business Administration at Southern Maine Community College

South Portland, ME · Public · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

enrolling 5,279 students in South Portland, ME.

Program Analysis

Southern Maine Community College's Business Administration program produces graduates earning $32,052/yr — within striking distance of the $35,542 national average for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 58.2x 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 27% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,150 in median debt clears fast against $32,052 in annual earnings.

At #218 of 455 Business Administration programs, Southern Maine Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $32,052 to $43,132 over five years — a 35% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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

72 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
72
Score
75
High End
Earnings $32,052/yr (-10% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$458K
7.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
60.3x
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)
$7,594
Out-of-state: $13,354
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,150
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,132
35% 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 Southern Maine 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 Southern Maine Community College

Nursing ($67,850) Allied Health Professions ($64,549) Electrical Installation ($47,382) Drafting & Design Technology ($45,319) Criminal Justice ($44,869) Electrical Engineering Technology ($43,181) IT Management ($41,813) Medical Assisting ($40,964)

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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Business Administration at Southern Maine Community College?
This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Business Administration nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business Administration at Southern Maine Community College?
Our scenarios model 47% of Business Administration tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Southern Maine Community College's 72/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
What's the typical debt for Business Administration graduates from Southern Maine Community College?
Median debt of just $9,150 against $32,052/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.
Can I learn Business Administration through an apprenticeship instead of Southern Maine Community College?
Yes — 28 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Business Administration career paths, including Bank Branch Manager. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Southern Maine Community College.
Will Business Administration graduates from Southern Maine Community College find jobs?
The career paths mapped to Business Administration have roughly 1,753,300 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →