You've always liked the fast-paced, dynamic aspect of the business world, and you can imagine that you love it. But you're not sure which job title would be best for you. If you've researched commercial titles, you may have received mixed signals about whether or not they're worth pursuing. Is it worth taking a management course? Is the course too broad? Will it take you where you want to go? Will you keep your options open?
These are questions many potential students ask, and it's worth getting some answers. Of course, no one knows how valuable a course will be for you personally, but many professionals who earn their business degrees have a say in what it has done (or not done) for their careers. Hear what industry statistics and business courses from recent years have to say about the value of the degree, and you'll be better equipped to decide if it's the right choice for you.
economics courses
One aspect of the business degree is the classes and courses that the degree will cover. Economics is a very diverse field in terms of professional tasks. Because of this, many programs offer a wide variety of courses to help students discover what they like and are good at.
"Studying business administration exposed me to many different disciplines," says Jeffrey Hensel vonNorth Shore Financial, Inc.. “It has given me the opportunity to pursue a variety of different careers. Basic knowledge of accounting, finance, economics, marketing and management, in addition to specialization in business, are a great advantage for everyone in the job market.”
This foundation of business-related subjects can provide students with strong skills in assessing and making rational life and career decisions.
"Looking back to my school days, the most valuable skills I learned in a marketing class were," says Ryan Fitzgerald, owner ofRaleigh Estate. Fitzgerald created a website and mobile app and quickly realized the value of this skill. "These skills now put me in the top one percent of income."
The Versatility of a Business Degree
The broad training base of a business degree is well known in the professional world. This means that employers in many different industries may be looking for business specializations to meet the specific needs of their organizations. Even if you intend to work for a company, it's always good to know that other industries are interested in hiring you.
"Most people who go to college don't know what they want to do with their lives," says Fitzgerald. "A lot of people in their 30s and 40s are still looking for what they want to do in life."
If you're still not sure what you want to do after graduation, a versatile degree is an important factor.
"One of the best things you can do is close a good deal," says Fitzgerald. “This specialization will give you the skills to take your career in any direction, be it technology, finance, entrepreneurship or marketing. You have options.
Versatility remains one of the main attractions of a business degree: every company has financial commitments to manage and decisions to make, even if it's not the strict, stereotypical Fortune 500 job that comes to mind when you think of economics. he speaks.
"In my experience, most people with a business degree are well educated and suited for almost any job," says Justin Nowroozi, market research analyst atOWDT. The education you receive on a business path can be applied to many different jobs outside of the business world. If at some point you decide to do something else, your higher education in business may still be very suitable.
"I would always choose a business degree because it really sets you up for success in a variety of careers," says Alyssa Jeffers, Digital Marketing Coordinator atLRG-Marketingkommunikation. "Many majors have the potential to start their own practices or companies, but without a deep understanding of the inner workings of a business, the success rate is lower."
The skills you'll develop with a business degree
Even beyond certain grades, the goal of business education is to send students out with skills that will enable them to succeed professionally. Fortunately, these skills are useful in many aspects of life. Students who learn them well will have a solid foundation to excel in the business world and beyond.
"The most important thing I learned was how to sell an idea," says Kimberly Faith, author ofinnovative brand. "Even in this area of executive coaching, I continue to use the influencer skills I learned as a business student." Faith initially learned persuasion techniques under the marketing umbrella, but quickly realized how useful they were in other areas as well. "Everything in life is about convincing someone of something."
"The most valuable skill I learned in my business classes was critical thinking," says Hensel. “When you work in the business world, you are constantly faced with challenges, obstacles and opportunities. If critical thinking skills aren't used correctly, it can spell disaster in the business world." Hensel says the projects, readings, and case studies required in her business courses are essential for developing critical thinking skills.
As you can see, the ability to persuade and apply critical thinking to a problem is vast and useful. But business students learn another valuable high-level skill, so high it's almost a state of mind.
"Business students often learn to navigate quickly and adapt to change," says Faith. “These skills are needed more than ever given the pace of change organizations are facing today. I believe that large companies have a unique ability to position themselves in industries facing major changes."
Income Opportunities in Business Studies.
You can see the value in classes, skills, and a business degree in themselves, but do business careers fare well when it comes to literal monetary value?
Average industry salaries are a decent indicator of what to expect in your career. While they represent only an average and are not a guarantee, they can help you set realistic expectations for your early and late positions going forward.
How are business careers? Our real-time analysis of entry-level job postings for applicants with a bachelor's degree in business administration found an average salary of $57,020.* The same analysis was applied to job postings for preferred candidates with more than nine years of experience. Advertised median salary of $104,982.
It is important to note that these salaries represent the average of all industries that expect to hire an economics student. These numbers change depending on your specialty and your specific job. However, this information can give you an idea of the earning potential that a bachelor's degree in business administration unlocks.
Learn more about business administration courses
Now that you've listened to the pros, do you think aBusiness Administration StudiesWhether it's worth it or not, you might be interested in checking out some of the more specialized careers under the Business umbrella. If this is the case, learn more about your option in our article "The Beginner's Guide to Different Types of Business Degrees."
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*BurningGlass.com (analysis of 188,145 jobs requiring a business degree, 6/1/2015 - 5/31/2016). Wage data represent national median earnings for listed occupations and include workers of all education and experience levels. This data does not represent starting salaries and employment conditions may vary by region.
FAQs
Is a business degree worth it or not? ›
If you are a working professional who wants to advance your career in business, a business degree can be a gamechanger. A business degree can increase job prospects, create advancement opportunities, and increase your salary and lifetime income. It's a worthwhile investment in your career—now and into the future.
What are 3 benefits of having a business degree? ›Obtaining a bachelor's degree in business management prepares you for jobs by equipping you with many management-related skills, such as how to manage employees, how to effectively communicate and how to create a strong teamwork mentality within your team.
Do you make money with a business degree? ›Another benefit of choosing a business major is the earnings potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) , salaries for many occupations related to business were higher than those for all workers.
What are disadvantages of majoring in business? ›- Business majors don't learn much in business school. ...
- You won't make as much money as you think. ...
- The job market is crawling with business majors. ...
- Your quality of life could suck. ...
- Majoring in business could hurt your MBA chances. ...
- You don't need a business degree to work in business.
Business isn't just one of the easiest college majors — it's also the most popular major. You'll study core topics like accounting, management, and organizational behavior. You can specialize your skills with upper-level courses in logistics, training and development, or entrepreneurship.
Are business degrees still useful? ›Useful skills
In addition to useful hard skills, business degree courses help students to improve valuable soft skills, such as leadership, organization, communication and collaboration. Employers may seek these skills from job candidates when recruiting business graduates.
Yes, business administration is a good major because it dominates the list of most in-demand majors. Majoring in business administration may also prepare you for a wide-range of high-paying careers with above average growth prospects (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
How hard is a business degree? ›No, a business major is not hard.
Like all majors, you are going to find that certain courses you take for your business major will be more difficult than others, but in general, this applies more to the amount of work you must complete for each course rather than the difficulty of learning the proper knowledge.
- Accounting. ...
- Biomedical engineering. ...
- Mathematics or Statistics. ...
- Finance. ...
- Nursing. ...
- Information technology. Median base salary: $64,008 per year. ...
- Engineering. Median base salary: $64,381 – $68,438 per year. ...
- Computer science. Median base salary: $70,000 per year.
Although not guaranteed, earning an MBA can put you on the career path to earning a six-figure salary. MBA degrees typically lead to careers in management or business administration, and the skills learned in an MBA program can help you become a successful business leader.
What is the hardest business major? ›
- Accounting. ...
- Management Science. ...
- Finance. ...
- Entrepreneurial Studies. ...
- Human Resources. ...
- Marketing. ...
- Organizational Leadership. ...
- International Business.
A business degree gives you knowledge and skills that employers want and that translate across many roles and industries. You will have the opportunity to apply your education, grow your experience, and maybe even combine your passions in a variety of industries such as: Manufacturing. Health care.
What is the #1 easiest major? ›As the most popular college major since 1980, business encompasses a variety of sub-disciplines, such as finance, accounting, and marketing. It's also considered to be one of the easiest college majors. With a business degree, you could also work in fields like healthcare, human resources, or public administration.
What degree makes the least money? ›The lowest-paying college majors are in areas such as theology, social services, the performing arts, education, and leisure and hospitality, the data shows.
What majors have the lowest GPA? ›Science majors tend to have lower GPAs on average, with chemistry being the major with the lowest average GPA. Meanwhile, education majors earn the highest GPAs on average.
What is the best degree to make a business? ›- Business Administration. There are several levels of business administration degrees. ...
- Business Management. ...
- Accounting. ...
- Finance. ...
- Marketing. ...
- Business Technology. ...
- Economics. ...
- Entrepreneurship.
A Bachelor's in Business Administration gives you a solid foundation, along with real-life examples and experience that you can use to nurture your own business idea. Business Administration degree programs teach you the fundamentals of how big and small companies run and where they fit into the global marketplace.
Is business a competitive major? ›Business-related majors, such as business administration, accounting, and finance, are some of the most popular majors for undergraduates, so spots for them are often in demand. This is especially true at schools with highly-ranked business programs, where students from all across the country will be vying for a spot.
Is business major a lot of math? ›For many aspiring business students, the most harrowing component of the entire experience is the math coursework. The business degree track requires students to take calculus, often a dreaded and difficult experience for many.
Is business major mostly math? ›If you're a business major, then yes, you will need that seemingly frustrating mathematics. Mathematics is a necessity in every division of the business sector. Most business majors will choose math as their most dreaded course.
Do business majors have a lot of homework? ›
They also spend less time reading and writing than other majors. One analysis of 10 public four-year universities in Texas found that of the 40 courses needed for a business degree, only one required a writing assignment of 20 or more pages, and only three required assignments of at least 10 pages.
Is a 2 year business degree worth it? ›An associate degree in Business Administration lays a solid foundation for a business career. By earning this degree, you will be able to enter the workforce sooner, and if you decide to pursue more courses, you will likely be able to pick and choose ones that will advance and further your career.
What business major has the least math? ›The Ease of a Business Degree Without Math
Some of the degrees that require the least amount of math are BBA and Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (BABA) – as opposed to science-intensive Bachelor of Science in Business Administration BSBA degrees – in certain majors and concentrations.
Learn more about common business majors and the associated career paths graduates may decide to pursue. Business is the most common major across all bachelor's degrees conferred, and business majors are among the most in-demand graduates [1, 2].
What 4 year degree makes the most money? ›An economics degree ranks as one of the highest-paying bachelor's degrees. During an economics program, undergraduates study microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. In applied economics courses, participants learn how to analyze financial information and create projections.
What degrees most millionaires have? ›- Engineering.
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) ...
- Economics. ...
- Law. ...
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) ...
- Commerce. ...
- Accounting. ...
- Computer Science. ...
Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a business manager.
The chances of earning over $100k for a business manager are actually pretty good because the highest-paid business manager positions typically pay at least $144,000 per year.
- Actuarial Science. $134,400.
- Information Resources Management. $112,800.
- Investments & Securities. $112,400.
- Construction Management. $108,000.
- Finance. $105,200.
- International Business. $104,100.
- Operations Management & Supervision. $103,000.
- Labor & Industrial Relations. $100,600.
Depending on the industry and your skill set, some of the highest-paying positions within business administration are Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), Chief Operations Officers (COOs), Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Marketing Managers.
Is it better to get a degree in accounting or business? ›Is Business Administration or Accounting Better? There is no definitive answer to this question. Business administration and accounting, although fairly similar, both have their own distinct qualities and even meeting points in the job market. The answer to which one is better, in this case, is subjective.
What is the #1 hardest major? ›
#1 Chemistry
According to the average Grade Point Average of students in the program, Chemistry wins the prize title hardest major. A Chemistry major overlaps somewhat with biology, but chemistry extends beyond living things.
- Foreign Languages.
- Psychology.
- Statistics.
- Chemistry.
- Physics.
- Engineering.
- Mathematics.
- Chartered Accountancy.
Plentiful job opportunities and high entry-level salaries make certain fields more attractive. For example, business and health degrees account for nearly one-third of all undergraduate degrees. Both fields continue to experience strong employment growth, making it easier for students to secure jobs after graduation.
What is the most common major? ›The most popular college majors in the United States are business, health, and social sciences, according to data from the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES). Of the 2 million bachelor's degrees conferred in the US during the 2019-2020 school year, these three majors made up almost 40 percent.
Is business a STEM major? ›No, business is not a STEM major.
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Business is not a STEM major, but there are positions in the world of business that involve STEM-based skills. Some positions in business that involve STEM-based skills include: Financial Analyst.
For those interested in becoming business professionals, a degree in business is a necessity. While a baccalaureate is a minimum requirement for many jobs, those who are motivated to work their way up to more senior level positions and increase their earning potential should consider earning an MBA.
What is the least regretted major? ›Engineering majors have the fewest regrets: Just 24 percent wish they'd chosen something different, according to a Federal Reserve survey.
What majors are hard to get a job with? ›- The best majors for landing a good job tend to be engineering, computer science and other rigorous fields that prepare students for specific work in booming industries. ...
- Criminal justice. ...
- Drama / theater arts. ...
- Anthropology. ...
- Liberal arts and sciences. ...
- History. ...
- Psychology.
- Educational Psychology. ...
- Drama and Theater Arts. ...
- Human Services and Community Organization. ...
- Clinical Psychology. ...
- Composition and Speech. ...
- Visual and Performing Arts. ...
- Miscellaneous Fine Arts. ...
- Cosmetology Services.
There are many high-paying job opportunities available that pay $100K a year without a degree. Some of these jobs are real estate agent, risk manager, and sales consultant. For most common high-paying jobs without a degree, you'll need many years of work experience until you reach a level where you make six figures.
What are the most regretted and lowest paying college majors? ›
Regret is heavily influenced by salary.
The top three regretted majors, according to ZipRecruiter, are journalism (87%), sociology (72%), and liberal arts and general studies (72%). The top three regret-free majors, all above 70%, are computer and information sciences, criminology, and engineering.
The highest paying jobs in the U.S. are all in medicine, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Chief executives and airline pilots are also among the highest paid professions.
What is the lowest GPA for Harvard? ›After being admitted with a 3.0 or higher grade-point average (GPA), you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to be considered in good academic standing. If your GPA falls below 2.0, you are in poor academic standing.
What is the lowest GPA to go to Harvard? ›You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Harvard, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.
What GPA is too low for college? ›Unofficially, 2.0 is the lowest GPA accepted into a standard college, so while there's a chance that college admission is possible, it's not likely at more than a few institutions.
Why is it important to have a business degree? ›A business degree gives you knowledge and skills that employers want and that translate across many roles and industries. You will have the opportunity to apply your education, grow your experience, and maybe even combine your passions in a variety of industries such as: Manufacturing. Health care.
What is a major advantage of a business? ›Creative freedom and personal satisfaction. As a business owner, you'll be able to work in a field that you really enjoy, and you'll gain personal satisfaction from watching your business succeed.
What are the benefits of being a business? ›- Independence. As a business owner, you are the boss and you can't be fired. ...
- Lifestyle. ...
- Financial Rewards. ...
- Learning Opportunities. ...
- Creative Freedom and Personal Satisfaction. ...
- Control. ...
- Helping Others. ...
- Financial Risk.
- Communication. Communication skills in business management are key. ...
- Management & Leadership. ...
- Financial Intelligence. ...
- Information Technology. ...
- Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving. ...
- Creativity and Innovation.
Generally, business degrees are designed to help students prepare for a wide range of positions and industries by introducing them to the fundamental aspects of business knowledge in accounting, finance, international business, marketing, human resources, operations and project management.
Will starting a business impact your personal life? ›
The hours and stress of running your own business can bring out the worst in your character, and your physical and emotional fatigue can leave your partner feeling isolated. This often hardest on female entrepreneurs who want to feel successful as wives and mothers outside of their business.
What are pros and cons of being a part of a large business? ›- Pro: More Resources. It's no secret that often the bigger the company, generally the more budget there is to spend on resources. ...
- Pro: Structure and Stability. ...
- Pro: Big Name Reputation. ...
- Con: Jumping through Hoops. ...
- Con: Lost in the Crowd. ...
- Pro: Creative Freedom. ...
- Pro: Many Different Hats. ...
- Pro: Being Seen.
...
Business failure rate across the U.S.
Time frame | Within 1 year |
---|---|
Percentage of businesses that fail | 20.8% |
human resources, compliance, recruiting, and finance.
What is it like to be a business owner? ›Entrepreneurs have independence, flexibility, and control, but the risk and reward of financial gain or loss falls on their shoulders as well. Business ownership requires sacrifice, determination, and resilience, including long hours and administrative burdens.
Is a major in business management good? ›A business management degree can help prepare you for a range of career opportunities across numerous industries, including positions leading people. Graduates of business management degree programs can pursue careers in finance, human resources, information security, marketing and more.