Business Administration at University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA · Public · Certificate · Business Administration, Management and Operations

University of Iowa has a 85% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 21,691 students in Iowa City, IA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,012 track close to the $35,542 national median for Business Administration programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 51.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Business Administration carry above-average AI exposure (47% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At $21,582 against $34,012/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #216 ranking among 455 Business Administration programs places University of Iowa in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $34,012-to-$56,012 earnings arc over five years reflects a 65% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

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

72 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
63
Low End
72
Score
74
High End
Earnings $34,012/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$597K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
54.4x
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)
$10,964
Out-of-state: $32,927
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,582
7.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,012
65% 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 →

About Business Administration Careers

Your career will likely begin on the front lines as a supervisor, where your day revolves around people. You’ll be creating work schedules, training new hires on office procedures, approving timesheets, and serving as the go-to person for your team’s daily questions. With experience, you can advance into an operations manager role. Here, your focus shifts to the bigger picture: analyzing performance data in spreadsheets to find efficiencies, managing departmental budgets, and solving logistical puzzles to keep the entire business running smoothly.

Read the full Business Administration career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Administration Overview

Business Administration at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Iowa

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Business Administration at University of Iowa?
A score of 72/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Iowa's Business Administration graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business Administration?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Business Administration graduates?
Business Administration connects to 28 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Business Administration workers?
With approximately 1,753,300 annual openings across mapped careers, Business Administration offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →