Business Administration at Tidewater Community College

Norfolk, VA · Public · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

with a mid-sized student body of 11,797 in Norfolk, VA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $35,919/yr, roughly in line with the $35,542 national median for Business Administration. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 43.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 27% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Administration career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $35,919 far exceeding the $9,300 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #251 ranking among 455 Business Administration programs places Tidewater Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 35% earnings increase from $35,919 to $48,451 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.

71 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
64
Low End
71
Score
73
High End
Earnings $35,919/yr (1% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$515K
7.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
45.0x
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)
$11,428
Out-of-state: $23,434
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,300
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,451
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 Tidewater Community College and 454 other schools.

Read the full Business Administration career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Administration Overview

Business Administration at Other Schools

Other Majors at Tidewater Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Business Administration at Tidewater Community College?
A score of 71/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Tidewater Community College trails the majority of Business Administration programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
What's the AI risk for Business Administration graduates from Tidewater Community College?
Our scenarios model 47% of Business Administration tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Tidewater Community College's 71/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
What's the typical debt for Business Administration graduates from Tidewater Community College?
Median debt of just $9,300 against $35,919/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 Tidewater 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 Tidewater Community College.
What's the job market like for Business Administration from Tidewater Community College?
Job availability for Business Administration is strong — 1,753,300 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Tidewater Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in VA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →