Business Administration at West Valley College

Saratoga, CA · Public · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

enrolling 6,086 students in Saratoga, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $24,594 place West Valley College below the $35,542 national median for Business Administration — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 86.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Business Administration graduates.

At #232 out of 455 programs, West Valley College's financial outcomes for Business Administration trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

With 28 registered apprenticeships mapped to Business Administration, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

71 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
71
Score
73
High End
Earnings $24,594/yr (-31% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$257K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
86.3x
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)
$2,980
Out-of-state: $17,404

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 West Valley College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does West Valley College's Business Administration program score?
A score of 71/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but West Valley 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 West Valley College?
Our scenarios model 47% of Business Administration tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. West Valley College's 71/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Why are Business Administration earnings lower at West Valley College?
Lower starting pay at West Valley College 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?
Beyond West Valley 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.
How many job openings are there for Business Administration graduates?
Job availability for Business Administration is strong — 1,753,300 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For West Valley College graduates specifically, local market conditions in CA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →