Should you earn a business administration degree? It can take four years to complete, requires tens of thousands of dollars in student loans and only leads to a few graduate programs. However, a BA or BS in business admin is usually considered a valuable degree. Here’s why.
Ranking: 20 Best Online Schools for Business Administration
Job Opportunities
In today’s service- and tech-oriented market, a high school diploma is no longer a path to a steady career. Companies big and small want employees with a bachelor’s degree, and every company needs managers. For students who don’t want to study a technical subject like engineering or teaching, the high number of jobs in business management makes a business-related degree a smart choice. With this degree, graduates can work as sales representatives, benefit managers, directors and so much more. Business admin is considered a strong default degree for students who aren’t sure what they want to study or where they want to work. Because so many different fields hire projects managers, supervisors and account reps with business administration degrees, it’s a good way to get a foot in the door almost anywhere.
Business Administration Salary
How much can you earn with a business administration degree? Quite a lot. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), administrative service managers earned a median annual wage of $94,020 in 2017. Sales managers earned even more, with a median wage of $121, 060 in the same year (BLS). New graduates likely won’t start off with such a high income, but a degree in business admin makes it easy to climb the ranks. Many entry-level positions for business administration graduates are commission-based. This makes earning potential almost unlimited.
Skills
Business degrees offer a flexible curriculum. Students can minor in a related subject like marketing, finance or economics with just a few extra classes. Ambitious students might even double major in accounting or communications. This means business administration students can customize their education and hone in on the perfect skills for their future careers. All graduates end up with marketing skills, critical thinking abilities, and an ability to work well with others. Business schools are noted for their group- and project-focused coursework.
Graduate School
Is there any time when earning a bachelor’s of business administration isn’t a good idea? These degrees focus on practical skills with real-world application. That doesn’t leave much time for a strong background in academic research. Students planning to earn a master’s degree in the humanities, social sciences or natural sciences will have to take many extra classes to prepare for those graduate programs. However, students can easily advance their education with a master of business administration (MBA) degree; many programs are available online or part-time.
