Business Administration at University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Albuquerque, NM · Public · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

University of New Mexico-Main Campus accepts 95% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 16,686 in Albuquerque, NM.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,698 place University of New Mexico-Main Campus below the $35,542 national median for Business Administration — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 16.6x 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 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #435 of 455 Business Administration programs, University of New Mexico-Main Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

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

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
56
Score
58
High End
Earnings $25,698/yr (-28% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$269K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
16.6x
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)
$16,230
Out-of-state: $52,900
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$40,249
57% 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 New Mexico-Main Campus

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of New Mexico-Main Campus's Business Administration program score?
At 56/100, the score looks reasonable — but Business Administration is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business Administration?
AI won't 'replace' Business Administration careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Business Administration earnings lower at University of New Mexico-Main Campus?
Lower starting pay at University of New Mexico-Main Campus may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Business Administration?
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 certificate programs.
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. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →