Business Administration at William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, IL · Public · Associate Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

enrolling 8,815 students in Palatine, IL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $59,982 put William Rainey Harper College's Business Administration program 69% above the national median of $35,542 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 82.1x 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.

At #14 of 455 nationally, this is a top-5% Business Administration program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

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

87 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
82
Low End
87
Score
89
High End
Earnings $59,982/yr (69% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$628K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
82.1x
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)
$7,644
Out-of-state: $23,604

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 William Rainey Harper College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 87/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at William Rainey Harper College?
This program scores 87/100 — 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 William Rainey Harper College?
AI exposure of 47% is a real factor. For William Rainey Harper College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($627,546) and pessimistic ($627,546) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
What makes William Rainey Harper College's Business Administration program stand out?
Ranked #14 of 455 programs nationally, William Rainey Harper College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Business Administration graduates?
If William Rainey Harper College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 28 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Business Administration. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Is there demand for Business Administration workers?
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 →