Business

Build a Solid Foundation in Key Business Disciplines

Classroom of CWI students conversing at various tables

Program Overview

Imagine starting your business education journey at College of Western Idaho (CWI), where the focus is on you and your success. In our Business program, you are not just learning about business; you are preparing to make a real impact in the world. You will dive into vital areas like management, marketing, and finance, gaining skills essential for today’s business world. We are here to ensure your first two years of college are not just fulfilling but set a strong foundation for your future studies.

Your journey at CWI is about more than textbooks and lectures. With smaller class sizes and accessible instructors, you get a personalized learning experience where your ideas and ambitions are nurtured. We are dedicated to helping you reach higher whether that is pursuing a bachelor's degree or aiming further. Be a success story and start your path in the business world with confidence and a solid academic foundation.

Degree or Certificate Type

Associate of Arts

Academic Certificate

Fully Online

Cost

$1,888 – 9,469

Additional cost may apply.

Time to Complete

0.5 – 2 years

Table of CWI students having a conversation

Learning Opportunities

  • Solid Business Foundations: Build your knowledge in key business areas.
  • Real-World Applications: See how business theories work in real situations.
  • Skill Enhancement: Grow skills that matter in business and beyond.
  • Stepping Stone to Higher Degrees: Use this program as a launchpad for further studies.
  • Personalized Support: Enjoy learning in small classes with teachers who support your goals.
  • Professional Software Skills: Master Microsoft Office applications, earning MOS certifications. Gain expertise in QuickBooks, enhancing job marketability and software skills.

Area of Study

Degrees & Certificates

Business – Associate of Arts Degree

2

YEARS

AA

Available Fully Online

Degree Requirements

Cost: $9,469

Accounting and Tax – Academic Certificate

1

YEAR

AC

Business Analytics – Academic Certificate

1.5

YEARS

AC

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management – Academic Certificate

0.5

YEARS

AC

  • Student Outcomes

    Below are the student outcomes for the Business Associate of Arts program at College of Western Idaho. 

    Year Retention Goal Retention Results Graduate Goal Graduate Results
    2022 48% 55% 69 – 75 76
    2023 48% TBD 70 – 76 82
Man standing and giving a presentation in front of a group of people in a meeting

Career Opportunities

  • General and Operations Managers

    Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors.

    2906

    Annual Openings*

    $30.86

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $64,189

    Annual Median Salary

    29.66%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Postsecondary Teachers

    1434

    Annual Openings*

    $35.69

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $74,235

    Annual Median Salary

    45.6%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Accountants and Auditors

    Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

    769

    Annual Openings*

    $30.84

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $64,147

    Annual Median Salary

    36.16%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Managers, All Other

    All managers not listed separately.

    548

    Annual Openings*

    $27.11

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $56,389

    Annual Median Salary

    27.37%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Project Management Specialists

    Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.

    523

    Annual Openings*

    $36.55

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $76,024

    Annual Median Salary

    49.24%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Management Analysts

    Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

    434

    Annual Openings*

    $35.96

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $74,797

    Annual Median Salary

    24.14%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Construction Managers

    Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

    425

    Annual Openings*

    $34.53

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $71,822

    Annual Median Salary

    42.61%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Sales Managers

    Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

    254

    Annual Openings*

    $46.26

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $96,221

    Annual Median Salary

    42.22%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Chief Executives

    Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

    206

    Annual Openings*

    $41.75

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $86,840

    Annual Median Salary

    -1.38%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Cost Estimators

    Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.

    150

    Annual Openings*

    $30.96

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $64,397

    Annual Median Salary

    29.51%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Industrial Production Managers

    Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

    119

    Annual Openings*

    $43.58

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $90,646

    Annual Median Salary

    41.61%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Tax Preparers

    Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.

    114

    Annual Openings*

    $23.68

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $49,254

    Annual Median Salary

    30.54%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Social and Community Service Managers

    Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization’s budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.

    105

    Annual Openings*

    $27.30

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $56,784

    Annual Median Salary

    15.8%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Administrative Services Managers

    Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services. Medical records administrators are included in “Medical and Health Services Managers” .

    95

    Annual Openings*

    $49.40

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $102,752

    Annual Median Salary

    42.43%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers

    Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. Includes logistics managers.

    92

    Annual Openings*

    $36.22

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $75,338

    Annual Median Salary

    37.93%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Property Appraisers and Assessors

    68

    Annual Openings*

    $24.62

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $51,210

    Annual Median Salary

    6.76%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Data Scientists

    Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

    63

    Annual Openings*

    $45.75

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $95,160

    Annual Median Salary

    111.75%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Facilities Managers

    Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization’s campus.

    56

    Annual Openings*

    $38.66

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $80,413

    Annual Median Salary

    45%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling

    Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships and parks.

    42

    Annual Openings*

    $31.81

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $66,165

    Annual Median Salary

    43.6%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Credit Analysts

    Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decisionmaking.

    31

    Annual Openings*

    $36.55

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $76,024

    Annual Median Salary

    20.73%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

    Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

    27

    Annual Openings*

    $25.69

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $53,435

    Annual Median Salary

    6.47%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Personal Service Managers, All Other

    All personal service managers not listed separately.

    24

    Annual Openings*

    $9.14

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $19,011

    Annual Median Salary

    63.17%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Budget Analysts

    Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

    23

    Annual Openings*

    $32.89

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $68,411

    Annual Median Salary

    20.73%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Financial Risk Specialists

    Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

    21

    Annual Openings*

    $38.15

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $79,352

    Annual Median Salary

    35.56%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Financial Examiners

    Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

    17

    Annual Openings*

    $32.05

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $66,664

    Annual Median Salary

    28.99%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Statisticians

    Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

    12

    Annual Openings*

    $50.29

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $104,603

    Annual Median Salary

    45.71%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Survey Researchers

    Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.

    11

    Annual Openings*

    $28.22

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $58,698

    Annual Median Salary

    20.69%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

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*Data sourced from Lightcast™ (2023), a global leader in labor market analytics, and limited to the state of Idaho. Contact CWI Institutional Research for questions regarding this data. Career pathways may require further education beyond CWI.

“I am so glad I chose to graduate from CWI in the Business program before transferring. I appreciated the opportunity for learning challenging subjects from experienced professors in a smaller class. The experience I had at CWI was definitely the right choice. ”
Wade Aldridge
2013 Graduate, Business

Admissions

Step 1

Step 2

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
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Business Professionals of America

College of Western Idaho is proud to be part of Business Professionals of America (BPA), the leading Career and Technical Student Organization for students pursuing careers in business management, office administration, information technology, and other related career fields.

News

Jody Hoff, an Economics Instructor in the Business department, has been honored as Faculty of Distinction for March 2024 at College of Western Idaho.

Read more about Hoff Named Faculty of Distinction for March 2024

Help bring holiday cheer to children in the Treasure Valley by participating in College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) annual Giving Tree.

Read more about Be Part of the Annual Giving Tree

Congratulations to College of Western Idaho Associate Professor of Accounting, Joe Welker, who received a regional 2023 Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs Teaching Excellence...

Read more about Welker Honored with ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award

College of Western Idaho will co-host the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs Region 7 Fall 2022 Conference, which invites faculty leaders from colleges around the western United...

Read more about CWI Co-Hosting Regional Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs Conference

Join founding CEO and General Manager at Kount, Bradley Wiskirchen, as he shares his expertise on eCommerce and entrepreneurship April 26.

Read more about Local Speaker Series Welcomes Bradley Wiskirchen

College of Western Idaho students joined students from across the state this spring to compete for more than $50,000 in prize money and services to advance their startups.

Read more about CWI Takes the Stage at Annual Entrepreneur Challenge

Congratulations to Assistant Professor of Business, Ryan Hanson, College of Western Idaho’s Faculty of Distinction for February 2022.

Read more about Hanson Named Faculty of Distinction for February

President Gordon Jones had the opportunity to speak to 80 students Wednesday, Feb. 9, as part of the Business department’s Local Speaker Series.

Read more about Business Students Meet President Jones

Congratulations to Business major, Brianna Daniels, winner of College of Western Idaho’s 2022 Connections Project Logo Contest.

Read more about 2022 Connections Project Logo Reveal

Congratulations to Adjunct Business Faculty, Darcia Johns, College of Western Idaho's Faculty of Distinction for December 2021.

Read more about Johns Named Faculty of Distinction

Congratulations to Assistant Professor of Economics, John Nordstrom, named College of Western Idaho’s Faculty of Distinction for November 2021.

Read more about Nordstrom Named Faculty of Distinction

Congratulations to Joe Welker, College of Western Idaho’s Faculty of Distinction for May 2021.

Read more about Welker Named Faculty of Distinction for May
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