Business Degree Overview
A business degree can open doors for many opportunities in a variety of industries, including finance, leadership, analysis, strategy, accounting, and more.
Why should you get a business degree? The skills taught in the degree are in high demand by many organizations today. In fact, every company typically needs the following to operate successfully:
- Analysts to make the best decisions about where to spend money
- Accountants for precise financial accuracy
- Intelligent leadership to make sure each part of the business machine works efficiently
- Customers to purchase and use their products or services
- Sellers to distribute their products and services
Listed below are colleges and universities that offer online business degrees or certificates in as well as a detailed list of programs.
Business Study Areas
- All Business degrees
- Accounting / Finance
- Administrative Professional
- Business Administration / Management
- Business Information Systems
- Communications / Public Relations
- Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- Hospitality / Tourism
- Human Resources
- International Business
- Marketing
- MBA
- Office Management
- Organizational Management
- Project Management
- Retail and Sales
- Supply Chain Management
Career Outlook for Business Professionals
Because business encompasses a number of various professions, specialties, and careers, it is difficult to generalize the industry. As a whole, careers in business are in high demand, and that demand is expected to continue to increase.
Over the next decade between 2016-2026, total employment at business and financial firms is projected to grow by 10 percent, faster than the national average, adding about 773,800 new jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The fastest growing business occupation is the market research analyst. Corporations are relying more and more on data analysis and market research to develop products, create marketing strategies, identify efficiencies, and to understand their consumers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in market research analysis are expected to grow by 23% over the next decade, which is much faster than the national average of 7%.
Globalization, a growing economy, and changing tax regulations will also lead to a stronger demand for accountants and auditors — it is predicted that accounting jobs will grow by 10% by 2026.
In addition to accountants and auditors, take a look at other business careers and their projected growth through 2026:
- Predicted Job Growth, 2016 to 2026
- Real Estate Appraisers: 14%
- Budget Analysts: 7%
- Claims Adjusters and Appraisers: -1%
- Cost Estimators: 11%
- Event Planners: 11%
- Financial Analysts: 11%
- Financial Examiners: 10%
- Fundraisers: 15%
- Human Resources Specialists: 7%
- Insurance Underwriters: -5%
- Labor Relations Specialists: -8%
- Loan Officers: 11%
- Management Analysts: 14%
- Market Research Analysts: 23%
- Personal Financial Advisors: 15%
- Purchasing Managers: -3%
- Supply Chain Managers: 7%
- Tax Collectors: -1%
- Training and Development Specialists: 11%
Featured Online Business Colleges
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Salary Forecast for Business Careers
Business and finance careers tend to have high earning potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for all business positions is $67,710, which is about $30,000 higher than the national average salary for all occupations.
Each type of business career tends to offer a different salary. The highest earning field is personal finance, which has an average salary of about $90,000. Take a look at the median annual salary for the following business and finance careers in 2017:
Average Yearly Salary
- Accountants and Auditors: $69,350
- Real Estate Appraisers: $54,010
- Budget Analysts: $75,240
- Claims Adjusters and Appraisers: $64,690
- Cost Estimators: $63,110
- Event Planners: $48,290
- Financial Analysts: $84,300
- Financial Examiners: $81,690
- Fundraisers: $55,640
- Human Resources Specialists: $60,350
- nsurance Underwriters: $69,760
- Labor Relations Specialists: $63,200
- Loan Officers: $64,660
- Management Analysts: $82,450
- Market Research Analysts: $63,230
- Personal Financial Advisors: $90,640
- Purchasing Managers: $66,610
- Supply Chain Managers: $74,590
- Tax Collectors: $53,130
- Training and Development Specialists: $60,360
Education Requirements for Business Professionals
Minimum Educational Requirements
There is no minimum requirement for starting or running a business. In fact, many entrepreneurs have done well for themselves without a college degree, such as Michael Dell, founder of Dell Computers, or Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple.
However, an education and business degree may increase your chances of success and earning potential in business, whether you work for yourself or a corporation. An associate degree in a business field is a great way to get started in the industry, though going on to earn a bachelor’s degree or even master’s will open up more employment opportunities.
Work Experience and Master’s Programs
Many successful business professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs hold advanced degrees as well. The most common advanced business degree is a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA). Although some students go directly from their undergraduate degree to an MBA program, many schools prefer students to have two or three years of work experience before beginning an advanced degree program for business.
Taking It A Step Further: Business PhD and Doctorate Degrees
Some even choose to take their education a step further by earning a doctorate or PhD in business. A PhD can open up more opportunities for you in the business world, and potentially an even higher salary.
Business Degree Educational Options
When it comes to post-secondary training in the field of business, many choices are available. These options include:
| College Diploma/Certification | Less than 18 months |
| Associate Degree | 2 Years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 Years |
| Master’s Degree | 2 Years Beyond Bachelors Degree |
| Doctoral Degree | 2-3 Years beyond Masters Degree or 5 Years |
Business Career Educational Program Lengths
Each business career path requires a different type of educational training. The list below outlines some of the more common career tracks and the educational degree or training required to become employed in that field.
| Career Field | Training Length | Degree Available and Recommended |
| Administrative Assistant | Under 18 Months | College Diploma/Certification |
| Book Keeper | 2 Years | Associate Degree |
| Financial Planner | 4 Years | Bachelor’s Degree (4 Years) |
| Financial Analyst | 4 Years | Bachelor’s Degree (4 Years) |
| Purchasing Manager | 4 Years | Bachelor’s Degree (4 Years) |
| Accountant | 5-6 Years | Master’s Degree (2 Years Beyond Bachelors) |
Should You Get A Business Degree?
Careers in business continue to be high demand. No matter what industry you decide to work in, every business or organization is in need of people with strong entrepreneurial skills, such as critical thinking, research, data analysis and good people skills. These skills, along with many others, will help a business run efficiently, retain staff, and generate revenue. By pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree, you’ll increase your chances of landing a job you love with a great salary, whether at a particular employer or by opening up your own business one day.
Sources
Colleges For Business Degrees
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