Best Online Business Administration Programs in Des Moines, WA (2026)
Des Moines, Washington has a population of about 32,545. The city’s median household income is $89,787 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 33.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited business administration programs within 100 miles of Des Moines. In the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, the top-earning business administration-related role is Financial Manager at a median $180,770 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Business Administration Schools to Des Moines
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer business administration programs. Distances are calculated from Des Moines city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highline College | Des Moines, WA | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Green River College | Auburn, WA | 8.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Renton Technical College | Renton, WA | 9.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Seattle College | Seattle, WA | 11.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma, WA | 11.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington business administration page.
Business Administration Wages Near Des Moines
Des Moines is part of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area (BLS area code 42660). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Washington statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Manager | $141,280 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $127,165 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $137,090 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $123,393 |
| Financial Manager | $180,770 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $162,709 |
| Human Resources Manager | $178,550 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $160,711 |
| Management Analyst | $129,900 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $116,922 |
| Project Management Specialist | $125,390 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $112,862 |
| Accountant or Auditor | $99,380 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $89,451 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $92,710 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $83,447 |
| Office and Administrative Support Supervisor | $78,750 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $70,882 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Des Moines at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,545 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $89,787 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 33.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 111.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Business Administration-related employment in King County | 127,759 workers, 6,244 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Des Moines-Area Cities With Business Administration Programs
- SeaTac, WA – 3.7 mi away (28,873 pop)
- Kent, WA – 4.8 mi away (127,514 pop)
- Federal Way, WA – 5.8 mi away (96,757 pop)
- Burien, WA – 6.0 mi away (50,997 pop)
- Tukwila, WA – 6.1 mi away (20,033 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited business administration programs are near Des Moines, WA?
Our directory lists 5 business administration programs within 100 miles of Des Moines. The closest is Highline College in Des Moines, WA (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Bates Technical College (11.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying business administration roles near Des Moines?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying business administration-related roles near Des Moines are: Financial Manager ($180,770), Human Resources Manager ($178,550), General and Operations Manager ($141,280). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Washington statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in SeaTac instead of Des Moines?
SeaTac, WA is 3.7 miles from Des Moines and has its own set of local business administration programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Des Moines an affordable place to study business administration?
Des Moines’s median household income of $89,787 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Des Moines while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Washington public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
- Online Business Administration Programs in Washington
- Main Business Administration Degree Guide
- Business Administration Programs by State
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