Business Administration Major — Salary & ROI 2026
General study of business operations, strategy, and organizational management.
Starting Salary
$58K
median
Mid-Career
$88K
salary
ROI Payback
4.2 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3.5%
rate
Business Administration Overview
General study of business operations, strategy, and organizational management.
Category
Business
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
68%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
20%
Lifetime Premium
$650K
Female Graduates
47%
Business Administration Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$17,100
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$17,100
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$632,900
Lifetime earnings premium ($650,000) minus net degree cost ($17,100)
Business Administration Salary Progression
Common Business Administration Careers
Business Analyst
Operations Manager
Management Consultant
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Business Administration
#1
Wharton
#2
University of Michigan
#3
UC Berkeley
#4
UVA
#5
Indiana University
Related Majors
Business Administration Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Business Administration Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for business administration programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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