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Business/Commerce, General

130 schools compared · Average earnings $36,982/yr

What Business/Commerce, General Graduates Do

Your career in business often starts by mastering a specific function. You might begin as a project coordinator, using tools like Asana and Slack to keep teams on schedule, or as a management analyst, digging into spreadsheets and interviewing staff to pinpoint how a company can improve efficiency. Your days are a mix of collaboration, problem-solving, and communicating your findings to leadership. As you gain experience, you’ll progress from executing tasks to directing them, becoming an operations manager who oversees a department’s budget and staff or a sales manager leading a team to hit its targets.

The path is clear: you learn the business from the ground up, advance to manage a team or major project, and can eventually rise to a senior role like general manager or chief executive, setting strategy for the entire organization. Demand is high across all management fields, with roles like management analyst and construction manager growing especially fast. While you start with a solid salary, experienced managers and specialists command high six-figure incomes. AI tools will increasingly assist with data analysis and scheduling, but they can’t replace the core of your job: leading people, negotiating deals, and making critical strategic judgments.

Schools Offering

130

Avg Grad Earnings

$36,982/yr

Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score

58/100

AI-Proof Rating

Resilient

51% of tasks AI-shielded

Apprenticeship Paths

View pathways ↓

Registered Apprenticeship Pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 8 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Business/Commerce, General. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.

Apprenticeship	Training Hours	Type	Salary RangeSalary	Growth
Health Information Management Business Analyst RAPIDS 2027CB	Competency	Competency	$77K – $101,190 – $133K	8.8%
Health Information Management Data Analyst RAPIDS 2028CB	Competency	Competency	$77K – $101,190 – $133K	8.8%
Health Information Management Privacy And Security Officer RAPIDS 2073CB	Competency	Competency	$100K – $136,550 – $179K	4.5%
Management Systems Auditor RAPIDS 2082CB	Competency	Competency	$77K – $101,190 – $133K	8.8%
Operations Management RAPIDS 2060HY	4318-4820 hrs	Hybrid	$67K – $102,950 – $164K	4.4%
Operations Management (General And Operations Managers) RAPIDS 2060CB	Competency	Competency	$67K – $102,950 – $164K	4.4%
Storage And Distribution Manager RAPIDS 2095	2000 hrs ~1.0 yrs	Time	$78K – $102,010 – $136K	6.1%
Wine Maker (Vinous Liquor) RAPIDS 34	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$95K – $121,440 – $156K	1.9%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.

Best Schools for Business/Commerce, General

Top 20 of 130 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.

#	School	Score	EarningsEarn	ROI
1	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN	89 81–92	$71,550/yr	83.9x
2	Austin Community College District Austin, TX	85 78–87	$43,267/yr	107.1x
3	Collin County Community College District McKinney, TX	82 74–84	$33,937/yr	155.1x
4	Cabrillo College Aptos, CA	82 76–84	$31,951/yr	445.1x
5	Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UT	81 73–83	$43,359/yr	70.6x
6	San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TX	81 73–83	$33,572/yr	129.2x
7	Dallas College Dallas, TX	80 72–83	$34,095/yr	110.9x
8	Southeast New Mexico College Carlsbad, NM	80 74–82	$30,628/yr	169.6x
9	Empire State University Saratoga Springs, NY	79 75–81	$62,409/yr	28.3x
10	Clark College Vancouver, WA	79 70–81	$40,313/yr	64.6x
11	Macomb Community College Warren, MI	79 70–81	$37,532/yr	74.2x
12	Pima Community College Tucson, AZ	78 69–80	$31,107/yr	111.5x
13	Lehigh Carbon Community College Schnecksville, PA	77 73–79	$47,276/yr	40.8x
14	James A. Rhodes State College Lima, OH	77 73–79	$45,238/yr	47.6x
15	Hagerstown Community College Hagerstown, MD	77 72–79	$41,970/yr	52.8x
16	Community College of Baltimore County Baltimore, MD	77 67–79	$36,801/yr	63.8x
17	Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TX	77 67–79	$32,376/yr	89.7x
18	NorthWest Arkansas Community College Bentonville, AR	77 67–79	$31,888/yr	91.2x
19	New Mexico State University-Grants Grants, NM	77 69–79	$30,628/yr	92.9x
20	Tacoma Community College Tacoma, WA	76 70–78	$40,863/yr	52.1x
21	Raritan Valley Community College Branchburg, NJ	76 66–78	$38,387/yr	55.3x
22	Oklahoma City Community College Oklahoma City, OK	76 68–78	$36,503/yr	60.1x
23	West Virginia University at Parkersburg Parkersburg, WV	76 72–78	$33,536/yr	74.9x
24	Truckee Meadows Community College Reno, NV	76 67–79	$32,691/yr	77.4x
25	New Mexico State University-Dona Ana Las Cruces, NM	76 68–78	$30,628/yr	85.4x
26	Victor Valley College Victorville, CA	76 68–78	$26,272/yr	150.1x
27	Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global Marion, IN	75 70–77	$49,463/yr	36.8x
28	Mount Wachusett Community College Gardner, MA	75 69–77	$42,825/yr	43.6x
29	Quinsigamond Community College Worcester, MA	75 69–77	$42,618/yr	43.0x
30	Community College of Vermont Montpelier, VT	75 70–77	$37,307/yr	58.7x
31	Frederick Community College Frederick, MD	75 66–77	$33,619/yr	63.5x
32	College of Western Idaho Nampa, ID	75 65–77	$31,455/yr	71.9x
33	Alvin Community College Alvin, TX	75 70–77	$30,445/yr	82.0x
34	Henry Ford College Dearborn, MI	74 67–76	$34,003/yr	60.3x
35	New Mexico State University-Alamogordo Alamogordo, NM	74 67–77	$30,628/yr	75.7x
36	Wharton County Junior College Wharton, TX	74 65–77	$29,619/yr	78.8x
37	Thomas More University Crestview Hills, KY	73 67–74	$83,571/yr	9.9x
38	American Public University System Charles Town, WV	73 66–75	$44,027/yr	35.2x
39	Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids, MN	73 67–75	$39,962/yr	42.0x
40	Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas De Queen, AR	73 69–74	$36,808/yr	46.1x
41	Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN	73 65–75	$36,707/yr	46.9x
42	Passaic County Community College Paterson, NJ	73 64–75	$35,905/yr	48.9x
43	Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA	73 65–75	$35,122/yr	50.6x
44	Delgado Community College New Orleans, LA	72 67–74	$37,206/yr	43.5x
45	Connecticut State Community College Hartford, CT	72 66–75	$37,152/yr	45.5x
46	Montgomery County Community College Blue Bell, PA	72 63–74	$36,274/yr	44.7x
47	Northeast Community College Norfolk, NE	72 68–74	$35,818/yr	49.6x
48	Bristol Community College Fall River, MA	72 64–74	$35,815/yr	45.9x
49	Blinn College District Brenham, TX	72 65–75	$34,483/yr	51.5x
50	Century College White Bear Lake, MN	71 67–72	$40,489/yr	31.7x
51	Boise State University Boise, ID	71 67–73	$36,913/yr	41.0x
52	Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway, SC	71 67–73	$36,679/yr	33.9x
53	Fletcher Technical Community College Schriever, LA	71 67–73	$36,296/yr	42.0x
54	Saint Louis Community College Bridgeton, MO	71 67–73	$34,419/yr	46.0x
55	Baton Rouge Community College Baton Rouge, LA	71 64–73	$32,498/yr	49.4x
56	Rose State College Midwest City, OK	71 62–73	$32,431/yr	49.0x
57	Vincennes University Vincennes, IN	70 66–72	$40,115/yr	31.7x
58	Bossier Parish Community College Bossier City, LA	70 62–72	$31,184/yr	48.3x
59	Strayer University-District of Columbia Washington, DC	69 62–71	$44,154/yr	19.1x
60	Strayer University-Virginia Arlington, VA	69 62–71	$44,154/yr	19.1x
61	Strayer University-Maryland Suitland, MD	69 62–71	$44,154/yr	19.1x
62	Strayer University-Tennessee Memphis, TN	69 62–71	$44,154/yr	19.1x
63	Strayer University-Pennsylvania Trevose, PA	69 62–71	$44,154/yr	19.1x
64	Strayer University-Florida Tampa, FL	69 62–71	$44,154/yr	19.1x
65	Strayer University-Delaware Wilmington, DE	69 62–71	$44,154/yr	19.1x
66	Strayer University-Alabama Birmingham, AL	69 62–71	$44,154/yr	19.1x
67	Strayer University-North Carolina Greensboro, NC	69 62–71	$44,154/yr	19.1x
68	Strayer University-New Jersey Piscataway, NJ	69 62–71	$44,154/yr	19.1x
69	Strayer University-West Virginia Scott Depot, WV	69 62–71	$44,154/yr	19.1x
70	Strayer University-Arkansas Little Rock, AR	69 62–71	$44,154/yr	19.1x
71	Strayer University-Georgia Chamblee, GA	69 62–71	$44,154/yr	19.1x
72	Strayer University-Mississippi Jackson, MS	69 62–71	$44,154/yr	19.1x
73	Strayer University-South Carolina Greenville, SC	69 62–71	$44,154/yr	19.1x
74	Strayer University-Texas Farmers Branch, TX	69 62–71	$44,154/yr	19.1x
75	Strayer University-Global Region Washington, DC	69 62–71	$44,154/yr	19.1x
76	Kent State University at Ashtabula Ashtabula, OH	69 64–71	$38,871/yr	30.4x
77	Kent State University at East Liverpool East Liverpool, OH	69 64–71	$38,871/yr	30.4x
78	Kent State University at Trumbull Warren, OH	69 64–71	$38,871/yr	30.4x
79	Kent State University at Tuscarawas New Philadelphia, OH	69 64–71	$38,871/yr	30.4x
80	Kent State University at Salem Salem, OH	69 64–71	$38,871/yr	30.4x
81	Kent State University at Geauga Burton, OH	69 64–71	$38,871/yr	30.4x
82	Luzerne County Community College Nanticoke, PA	69 65–71	$38,515/yr	29.4x
83	Bismarck State College Bismarck, ND	69 65–71	$36,062/yr	38.0x
84	Piedmont Technical College Greenwood, SC	69 63–71	$33,486/yr	42.2x
85	North Arkansas College Harrison, AR	69 65–71	$30,627/yr	47.2x
86	Holmes Community College Goodman, MS	69 60–71	$27,012/yr	58.1x
87	El Paso Community College El Paso, TX	69 59–71	$25,900/yr	62.1x
88	Davenport University Grand Rapids, MI	68 62–70	$49,530/yr	10.4x
89	Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls, SD	68 62–70	$37,383/yr	28.4x
90	Nunez Community College Chalmette, LA	68 64–70	$32,813/yr	39.1x
91	University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College North Little Rock, AR	68 63–70	$32,780/yr	38.8x
92	Texarkana College Texarkana, TX	68 64–70	$27,674/yr	54.9x
93	Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Marion, IN	67 61–69	$49,463/yr	9.0x
94	Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, PA	67 62–69	$36,708/yr	27.4x
95	SOWELA Technical Community College Lake Charles, LA	67 63–69	$31,941/yr	36.4x
96	Montgomery College Rockville, MD	67 58–69	$29,449/yr	57.5x
97	DeVry University-Arizona Phoenix, AZ	66 61–68	$43,716/yr	11.5x
98	DeVry University-California Ontario, CA	66 61–68	$43,716/yr	11.5x
99	DeVry University-Florida Orlando, FL	66 61–68	$43,716/yr	11.5x
100	DeVry University-Georgia Decatur, GA	66 61–68	$43,716/yr	11.5x
101	DeVry University-Illinois Lisle, IL	66 61–68	$43,716/yr	11.5x
102	DeVry University-Texas Irving, TX	66 61–68	$43,716/yr	11.5x
103	Purdue University Global West Lafayette, IN	66 60–68	$37,929/yr	19.9x
104	York Technical College Rock Hill, SC	66 62–68	$33,870/yr	29.7x
105	Northampton County Area Community College Bethlehem, PA	66 57–68	$28,503/yr	49.0x
106	Itawamba Community College Fulton, MS	66 57–68	$24,813/yr	54.0x
107	Arkansas State University-Beebe Beebe, AR	66 57–68	$23,663/yr	64.5x
108	Liberty University Lynchburg, VA	65 60–67	$43,425/yr	9.7x
109	Columbia College Columbia, MO	65 59–67	$41,791/yr	9.4x
110	Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH	65 60–67	$38,871/yr	16.8x
111	Butler County Community College Butler, PA	65 61–67	$32,392/yr	27.9x
112	UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ Cranford, NJ	64 56–67	$27,225/yr	51.2x
113	Texas Southmost College Brownsville, TX	63 59–65	$25,873/yr	40.1x
114	New Mexico State University-Main Campus Las Cruces, NM	62 56–64	$30,628/yr	23.6x
115	South Texas College McAllen, TX	61 53–63	$24,738/yr	34.3x
116	Pierpont Community and Technical College Fairmont, WV	60 54–61	$26,517/yr	26.7x
117	Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA	59 54–61	$28,747/yr	16.5x
118	South Louisiana Community College Lafayette, LA	59 56–61	$25,179/yr	28.9x
119	Bryant & Stratton College-Online Orchard Park, NY	58 52–60	$30,059/yr	10.2x
120	Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Johnstown, PA	58 50–60	$23,730/yr	27.6x
121	Bryant & Stratton College-Albany Albany, NY	57 51–59	$30,059/yr	8.4x
122	Bryant & Stratton College-Syracuse North Liverpool, NY	57 51–59	$30,059/yr	8.2x
123	Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo Buffalo, NY	57 51–59	$30,059/yr	8.3x
124	Bryant & Stratton College-Greece Rochester, NY	57 51–59	$30,059/yr	8.0x
125	Bryant & Stratton College-Parma Parma, OH	57 51–59	$30,059/yr	8.1x
126	Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach Virginia Beach, VA	57 51–59	$30,059/yr	8.6x
127	Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa Wauwatosa, WI	57 51–59	$30,059/yr	7.9x
128	Bryan University Springfield, MO	56 50–58	$28,014/yr	9.7x
129	Springfield Technical Community College Springfield, MA	56 48–58	$19,969/yr	42.1x
130	West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown Morgantown, WV	53 48–55	$25,241/yr	7.8x

Highest Earning Business/Commerce, General Programs

Schools where Business/Commerce, General graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

School	1-Year Earnings	Score
Thomas More University	$83,571/yr	73
Indiana University-Bloomington	$71,550/yr	89
Empire State University	$62,409/yr	79
Davenport University	$49,530/yr	68
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global	$49,463/yr	75
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion	$49,463/yr	67
Lehigh Carbon Community College	$47,276/yr	77
James A. Rhodes State College	$45,238/yr	77
Strayer University-District of Columbia	$44,154/yr	69
Strayer University-Virginia	$44,154/yr	69

Best ROI for Business/Commerce, General

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Business/Commerce, General.

School	ROI Multiple	Earnings	Score
Cabrillo College	445.1x	$31,951/yr	82
Southeast New Mexico College	169.6x	$30,628/yr	80
Collin County Community College District	155.1x	$33,937/yr	82
Victor Valley College	150.1x	$26,272/yr	76
San Jacinto Community College	129.2x	$33,572/yr	81
Pima Community College	111.5x	$31,107/yr	78
Dallas College	110.9x	$34,095/yr	80
Austin Community College District	107.1x	$43,267/yr	85
New Mexico State University-Grants	92.9x	$30,628/yr	77
NorthWest Arkansas Community College	91.2x	$31,888/yr	77

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Considering a 4-Year Degree?

Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Business/Commerce, General degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Business/Commerce, General graduates earn?

First-year earnings for Business/Commerce, General graduates average $36,982 annually, based on data from 130 programs. The range spans $19,969 at the low end to $83,571 at the top.

How safe is Business/Commerce, General from automation and AI?

AI resilience for Business/Commerce, General is classified as "Resilient." Approximately 51% of typical job tasks are hands-on — most the daily work involves skills that current AI technology cannot perform.

What's the top-ranked school for Business/Commerce, General?

Based on the TradeSchoolOutlook Score (combining earnings, AI resilience, job market size, and ROI), Indiana University-Bloomington ranks #1 for Business/Commerce, General with a score of 89/100 and graduate earnings of $71,550/yr.

Is Business/Commerce, General worth it?

The average 10-year earnings multiple is 45.7x tuition. This is a strong return on investment. The spread between the best and worst programs is wide, so individual school selection has a major impact.

Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, DOL RAPIDS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →