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Cheapest Business Administration Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

St. Petersburg College students can actually earn money while pursuing their Business Administration degree, with a net price of negative $52 after financial aid. This remarkable figure stands in sharp contrast to private institutions in the field, where costs can climb significantly higher. The earnings data reveals substantial variation across programs, from $21,508 at Haskell Indian Nations University to $46,820 at CUNY Baruch College in New York's financial district. Business administration graduates enter a job market where management roles span every sector of the economy, from healthcare systems requiring operational oversight to technology companies needing project coordination. Florida dominates the most affordable options, claiming four of the top ten spots with strong community college programs. Texas A&M University-Central Texas accepts 95.71% of applicants while maintaining reasonable costs at $1,113 net price. The data shows that geography plays a major role in both program costs and earning potential, with urban centers like New York offering higher salaries but also higher educational expenses.
50
Programs
$-52 – $5,671
Net Price Range
$35,469
Avg. Program Earnings
42.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $-52 $2,682 37.5%
2 $832 $3,120 61.3%
3 $1,113 $6,627 95.7%
4 $1,291 $4,920 27.6%
5 $2,010 $4,252 33.8%
6 $2,065 $2,684 11.5%
7 $2,254 $2,348 42.0%
8 $2,339 $2,370 44.8%
9 $2,760 $2,878 32.4%
10 $2,795 $4,038 42.2%
11 $2,879 $6,560 54.9%
12 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
13 $2,978 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
14 $3,022 $2,388 38.7%
15 $3,031 $600 42.6% 93.3%
16 $3,061 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
17 $3,149 $4,751 31.6%
18 $3,307 $4,250 19.7%
19 $3,455 $4,010 23.9%
20 $3,474 $2,626 54.5%
21 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
22 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
23 $3,613 $4,420 30.6%
24 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
25 $3,912 $6,634 40.7%
26 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
27 $4,181 $7,314 53.9%
28 $4,285 $5,986 37.9% 80.4%
29 $4,443 $3,165 51.1%
30 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
31 $4,496 $7,050 37.3% 90.1%
32 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
33 $4,529 $4,586 40.6%
34 $4,694 $3,283 29.6%
35 $4,702 $3,876 77.7% 64.6%
36 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
37 $4,971 $4,226 45.5%
38 $4,989 $7,050 23.6% 39.6%
39 $5,090 $3,105 14.3%
40 $5,154 $3,155 42.9%
41 $5,202 $2,764 42.5%
42 $5,216 $6,400 32.6%
43 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
44 $5,455 $14,180
45 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
46 $5,542 $5,260 35.7%
47 $5,554 $3,246 42.9%
48 $5,603 $5,925 100.0%
49 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
50 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes St. Petersburg College's business program cost negative money?

St. Petersburg College offers a net price of negative $52, meaning students actually receive more in financial aid than the total cost of attendance. The in-state tuition stands at $2,682, but grants and aid packages exceed this amount. Graduates earn an average of $43,696 annually, providing strong return on investment. This situation occurs when federal and state aid programs combine with institutional scholarships to cover all educational expenses.

How do graduation rates compare between the most affordable programs?

Graduation rates vary significantly among low-cost business programs, ranging from 11.5% at Oglala Lakota College to 72.1% at CUNY Baruch College. Chipola College achieves a 61.3% graduation rate while maintaining costs under $900 net price. Several Florida community colleges maintain graduation rates above 40% despite very low costs. The data suggests that urban institutions like Brooklyn College (56.6%) and Baruch (72.1%) achieve higher completion rates.

Where can students find the highest earning potential among affordable programs?

CUNY Baruch College graduates earn the highest average salary at $46,820 annually with a net cost of just $2,978. Brazosport College in Texas also produces high earners at $46,478 with a net price of $3,022. St. Petersburg College graduates earn $43,696 while paying negative costs. These programs demonstrate that affordable education can lead to competitive salaries in business management roles.

Does attending a community college limit business career advancement opportunities?

Community college business programs often provide direct pathways to four-year institutions and immediate employment opportunities. Florida State College at Jacksonville graduates earn $42,793 annually with relatively low debt of $23,203. Many programs offer transfer agreements with major universities for bachelor's degree completion. The business administration field values practical skills and experience, which community colleges emphasize through internships and local business partnerships.

What factors explain the wide range in student debt levels across these programs?

Student debt varies from $7,250 at Pensacola State College to $28,015 at St. Petersburg College, despite similar program costs. Public institutions generally produce lower debt levels due to state funding and local residency benefits. CUNY schools maintain debt around $10,000-$12,000 while providing access to New York's job market. Community colleges typically result in lower borrowing since students can live at home and complete degrees in fewer years.

More Business Administration, Management and Operations Rankings

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.