Washington Community Colleges
Business Administration Programs
Business administration courses across community colleges in this state, covering management, accounting, marketing, and economics.
32 colleges · 514 sections · 247 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Business administration is the most-completed associate degree at Washington community colleges, and the most flexible — graduates step into operations and management roles at small businesses, transfer to four-year business schools, or use the degree as a foundation for an MBA. Across 32 SBCTC institutions, this term's 514 sections cover management, marketing, finance, accounting, and economics — the same core curriculum a four-year business school would expect in years 1 and 2.
The associate degree typically takes two years full-time and articulates cleanly to most Washington four-year business programs, so students can complete the first half of a BBA at community college tuition rates before transferring. Compare colleges below by award counts, online section availability, and graduate earnings to find the best fit.
Colleges offering Business Administration
Pick a college to see its full plan — every required course, which ones transfer to the school you want, and what’s open now.
Business Administration is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
Business Administration Availability Snapshot
How business administration sections are being offered across 32 colleges in Washington this term (514 sections total).
Delivery format
- online308 (60%)
- hybrid187 (36%)
- in person19 (4%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)79
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)39
- Evening (5 PM and after)45
- Asynchronous / TBA351
Start dates
Sections begin on 7 distinct dates. 1 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 234 distinct instructors across 32 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Bates Technical College1 program
Communications
20 creditsCommunications
20 creditsCommunications
20 creditsRequired Courses
15 creditsRequired Courses
15 creditsCommunications
20 creditsRequired Courses
15 creditsRequired Courses
15 creditsCommunications
20 creditsCommunications
15 creditsRequired Courses
15 creditsSource: College catalog
Bellevue College29 programs
Bellingham Technical College5 programs
Cascadia College6 programs
Centralia College5 programs
Clark College12 programs
Edmonds College55 programs
Grays Harbor College11 programs
Green River College34 programs
Highline College31 programs
Lake Washington Institute of Technology18 programs
Olympic College5 programs
Pierce College District28 programs
Renton Technical College10 programs
Shoreline Community College46 programs
Skagit Valley College6 programs
South Puget Sound Community College3 programs
Spokane Community College19 programs
Spokane Falls Community College4 programs
Tacoma Community College10 programs
Walla Walla Community College20 programs
Yakima Valley College21 programs
Common Business Administration courses
- ECON 101Introduction to Economics(19 sections)
- ECON 100Current Economic Problems(16 sections)
- ACCT 101Practical Accounting I(15 sections)
- BUS 120Organizational Behavior(13 sections)
- BUS 103Business Leadership(11 sections)
- ACCT 110Small Business Accounting(9 sections)
- BUS 104Keyboarding & Word Processing(8 sections)
- MKTG 101Introduction to Marketing(8 sections)
- BUS 210Applied Marketing Principles(7 sections)
- BUS 100College & Career Success: BUS(7 sections)
- BUS 102Business Math Applications(7 sections)
- BUS 110Customer Service(7 sections)
Career outlook for Business Administration graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare Washington’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I get an associate in business or transfer to a four-year school first?
- For most students, completing the associate first is cheaper — Washington community college tuition is a fraction of four-year tuition, and the first two years of a BBA are largely general-education and intro business courses that transfer 1:1. The exception is students aiming for elite business schools that prefer freshmen admits.
- What jobs can I get with an associate in business?
- Office manager, assistant manager, sales representative, account coordinator, bookkeeper, and administrative supervisor are common entry points. Many graduates use the degree to formalize an existing role they were promoted into — companies often cover or reimburse the associate's tuition for employees moving from hourly to salaried positions.
- Does business credit transfer to a Washington four-year university?
- Yes. Most SBCTC business associate programs are articulated to the major state university business school under a guaranteed-transfer agreement. Compare colleges below — some have stronger transfer partnerships than others, and the right college can save you a full semester at four-year tuition rates.
- How long does an associate in business take?
- Two years full-time (4 semesters of 15 credits each), or three to four years part-time. Many Washington programs offer evening and online sections specifically for working students completing the degree alongside a full-time job.
Compare Business Administration programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Washington’s business administration programs stack up.
Other programs in Washington
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.