A business degree prepares you for a wide array of dynamic and in-demand careers throughout the global business landscape. Whether your goals include launching your own start-up business, managing complex supply chains, developing marketing campaigns and strategies, or consulting for corporations and government organizations, the opportunities for advancement are nearly limitless. If you’re thinking about applying to college and have wondered, “What can you do with a business degree?” then continue reading as we answer all of your most frequently asked questions about this popular choice of major, including:
- What is a business degree, and is there more than one type?
- What are my job options with a degree in business?
- What are some reasons to consider pursuing a business degree?
What is a Business Degree?
There are several different types of degrees in business, as we’ll explore in the next section of this article. However, speaking broadly, a business degree is designed to prepare students for careers in entrepreneurship, economics, marketing, finance, human resources, and other aspects of owning and operating a business. Students who major in business will learn to manage projects, lead and communicate with diverse teams, navigate corporate tax and accounting regulations, analyze complex data, and apply critical, strategic thinking to develop innovative solutions to a range of real-world business challenges.
Types of Business Degrees
If you’re thinking of pursuing a degree in business, one of the first questions to ask yourself is: “Which type of business degree is right for me?”
Depending on your educational background, you may wish to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), which is an undergraduate degree generally requiring four years to complete; a Master of Business Administration (MBA), which is a graduate degree that traditionally requires one to two years to complete; or, if you are aiming for the highest level of scholarship in the field, a doctoral degree such as the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).
It is also important to be aware of the various specializations or concentrations that business degrees offer, along with other types of degrees that are related to business, including academic minors. For instance, National University offers a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management, which is focused on issues such as employee recruitment and safety, and a Master of Science in Marketing, which covers branding, social media, market research, buyer behavior, product management, international marketing, and other topics.
Undergraduate students enrolled in National University’s BBA program can specialize in one of 10 focus areas. Concentrations that business majors can choose from include:
- Accounting
- Alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
- Business law
- Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- HR management
- Logistics and supply chain management
- Marketing
- Project management
Learn more about each of these concentrations by exploring our business degree hub, which also includes information about career opportunities, online learning options, and student financial aid.
What Can You Do with a Business Degree?
Business degrees have practical applications across virtually every industry. The skills you learn in a BBA or MBA program can provide you with the foundation for a career in fields such as:
- Accounting and finance
- Entrepreneurship
- Human resources (HR)
- Management
- Marketing and advertising
- Retail and sales
Accounting and finance: A degree in business provides foundational skills for a range of accounting- and finance-related professions, such as data analyst or business development manager. Alternatively, students may wish to pursue a graduate or undergraduate degree in accountancy.
Management: The MBA degree prepares students for the challenges of corporate management roles. The MBA at NU features core coursework like marketing management, business operations management, and managerial accounting.
Retail and sales: Use your BBA or MBA degree to springboard your career in sales and retail, such as positions like district manager, training manager, logistics coordinator, or store manager.
Marketing and advertising: A business degree program provides a robust foundation in marketing and advertising, potentially leading to careers such as account executive, promotion manager, market research analyst, or production manager.
Human resources: Are you an effective communicator with a gift for resolving conflict and finding creative solutions to challenges? Consider a career in the HR industry, such as an HR specialist, HR manager, recruitment manager, labor relations specialist, or employee relations manager.
Entrepreneurship: If you dream of starting your own company or partnering with others to create unique innovations, a business degree may be the perfect program to teach you the fundamentals and how they apply to real-world business scenarios. The BBA at NU offers a concentration in entrepreneurship, which covers practical knowledge for operating an e-business, small business, family business, or other types of start-up entities.
In-Demand Jobs for Business Majors
One of the benefits of majoring in business is that the degree is so versatile. A graduate or undergraduate degree in business empowers you to explore and advance along wide-ranging career pathways so that you can align your studies — and your job search — with your interests, skills, and goals. So what jobs can you get with a degree in business, and how in demand are business majors? Keep reading to see 10 examples of in-demand jobs for business majors, including information about job outlook and salary.
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts earn a median salary of over $95,500, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. This field is expected to grow by 9% through 2031, which is faster than average compared to the national average of 5%.
Accountant
Corporate accountants organize, analyze, and prepare tax and financial records while providing strategic guidance to businesses. According to the BLS, accountants, and auditors earn a median salary exceeding $77,000 per year. These fields are expected to grow by 6% through 2031.
Human Resources Specialist
As an HR specialist, you’ll be dealing with employee benefits, conflict resolution, workplace safety, and related issues. The BLS reports that HR specialists earn a median salary of over $62,200, with 8% growth expected in this field.
Medical and Health Services Manager
The role of a medical and health services manager is to “plan, direct, and coordinate the business activities of healthcare providers,” according to the BLS, which reports annual median earnings of over $101,300 in this field. What’s more, this highly-paid profession is projected to grow at an explosive rate of 28% through 2031.
Project Management Specialist
Are you highly organized, analytical, and detail-oriented? Consider a career as a project management specialist, where you’ll be responsible for coordinating completion timelines, operating budgets, staffing measures, and other critical components of large-scale projects.
The BLS reports annual median earnings of $94,500 in this field, with projected 7% growth through 2031. To pursue a career in project management, many employers will also want to see that you have completed a project management certification. Learn more about project management certifications here.
Logistics Manager
Logistics managers, or supply chain managers, are responsible for making sure that materials are shipped and distributed correctly and efficiently according to schedule and budget. Based on data submitted to Salary.com, “The base salary for [a] Logistics Manager ranges from $100,389 to $131,192 with [an] average base salary of $115,370.”
Emergency Management Specialist
The role of an emergency management specialist is to develop and implement protocols for responding to various emergencies, such as natural disasters. The BLS does not provide salary data for this role, but according to data from Salary.com, “The base salary for [an] Emergency Management Specialist ranges from $71,346 to $96,326 with [an] average base salary of $82,014.”
Information Security Analyst
Do you love working with computers? You might enjoy a career as an information security analyst, where you’ll work to keep corporate or government computer networks safe from security breaches and other threats. The BLS reports that information security analysts earn a median salary of $102,600 annually — and projects that this field will grow an astounding 35% by 2031.
Administrative Services Manager
According to BLS data, administrative service managers earn a median salary of nearly $99,300, with the top 10% earning close to $169,000 annually. The BLS projects this field to grow by 7% through 2031.
Operations Research Analyst
The employment site Indeed describes the role of an operations research analyst as collecting and analyzing data, with the goal of “solving problems and developing methods for businesses to operate more efficiently.” According to the BLS, operations research analysts earn a median salary of over $82,300, with the field expected to grow by an impressive 23% through 2031.
Why Get a Business Degree?
There are many reasons to consider earning your undergraduate business degree — or, if you already have one, going on to pursue your MBA. Here’s how you could benefit by getting your BBA or master’s degree in business.
Gain new skills and experience: A business degree is a well-rounded degree that teaches a blend of hard and soft skills with applications for diverse career paths and industries. You’ll learn how to lead groups, negotiate deals, interpret data, think creatively, use the latest in accounting and financial technology, and more.
Networking opportunities: Thanks to its popularity as a major and its team-based, collaborative nature, business provides countless opportunities to build robust professional networks.
Advancement opportunities: The further you advance along your educational path, the more qualified and competitive you’ll be in the job market, no matter what career you pursue.
Potential salary increase: According to the employment website ZipRecruiter, the average salary with a BBA degree is approximately $60,750 per year. While offerings range, the average annual salary for an MBA holder is closer to $115,000.
Boost job performance: A BBA, MBA, or related degree prepares you for a wide range of complex, real-world business challenges. When difficult or unexpected situations arise, you’ll be one step ahead, thanks to your education.
Move to a new career: Not certain what industry you want to be a part of, or what your professional mission should be? The skills you cultivate while earning your BBA or MBA are highly transferable — and in high demand — giving you leverage to explore different career pathways until you find a good fit.
Business majors are in demand: As we covered earlier in this article, many business-related specialties and professions are experiencing tremendous surges of growth and demand, creating a bright outlook for job seekers through the coming decade.
Is Business a Good Major?
Ultimately, is a business degree worth it? Business can be an excellent major — provided you choose a degree or certificate program that fits with your interests, your lifestyle, and your long-term goals and aspirations. As we’ve explored throughout this article, there are numerous benefits to majoring in business or pursuing an MBA, including but not limited to:
- Potential to increase your earnings, particularly with a graduate degree like the Master of Business Administration
- Ability to specialize and advance in a broad range of career types, including starting your own business or taking on managerial roles
- Numerous opportunities to change careers or switch industries
- Strong emphasis on teamwork, networking, and collaboration with others
Earn Your Business Degree at National University
No matter what your career goals are, National University offers a business degree that’s aligned with your objectives. Our MBA program is designed for learners who are looking to move upward in their careers and advance past entry-level business degree jobs. Or, if you’re at the beginning of your journey, take the first steps and gain fundamental skills through programs like our Bachelor of Business Administration.
Discover the exciting range of accredited business degrees that you can pursue at National University, including hybrid and 100% online classes. Contact our admissions office to learn more, or apply to National University online today.