The best business degrees can present a vast number of benefits to graduated students.
Once you’ve finished your undergraduate program and are looking for a job, your degree becomes most useful.
Before settling on a program that you think could be good, let’s explore some of the best degrees in business to obtain.
Bachelor’s vs. MBA vs. Associate’s
Before we get into specific business degrees, let’s first review the overarching terms of each degree type.
There are notable differences between an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, and a Master’s of Business Administration.
Depending on the area of work you want to get into, you might find certain degree types are mandatory.
Associate’s Degree
An associate’s degree is a fantastic resource to have if you’re looking for an entry-level job in any business industry.
However, it’s not the ideal choice if you’re looking for a more competitive salary compared to the other two options.
Associate’s degrees can often be preferred by career individuals who want to spend less time in school and more time working.
Most associate’s degree programs can be completed within one or two years, depending on the specialty.
You’ll also find that they can be offered part-time, allowing you to complete your program while also working.
They’re often regarded as the most flexible option, making them ideal for many individuals of various ages.
Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree is often regarded as the most common type of business degree.
You’ll obtain this certification through a college or university after completing a three- to four-year program.
During your studies, you’ll focus on several areas of business, ranging from finance to marketing.
Bachelor’s degrees can often be preferred since they provide students with higher specialized training.
They can also be rewarded from some of the most prestigious post-secondary institutions worldwide.
You’ll find the majority of higher-paying jobs require a bachelor’s degree in business at a minimum.
Master’s of Business Administration
Apart from a doctorate, a Master’s of Business Administration is the highest level of education you can obtain.
These degrees are awarded to specialists in their specific fields and acquired after completing undergraduate studies.
You’ll be required to complete a three- to four-year bachelor’s program before applying for a master’s program.
With a Master’s of Business Administration, you’ll be a more competitive person in the workforce.
You’ll also find that higher-paying business jobs will be easier to apply for, as you have the required criteria.
They’re highly recommended for professionals interested in entering the workforce well above entry-level.
The Most Employable Business Degrees
With a clear understanding of the different degrees you can earn, let’s consider the most employable.
After college or university, you’ll want to get into the workforce as soon as possible.
Some business degrees are in higher demand than others, which is important to note.
General Business Administration
There’s no doubt that a general business administration degree is bound to help you achieve your work goals.
It’s ideal for students who want to work in careers focusing on every element of working in and running a business.
You’ll have unique exposure to financial analysis, leadership, workplace ethics, and marketing.
Compared to other business degrees, it’s a more comprehensive offering that touches on the basics.
You’ll find this type of degree is ideal for administrative service managers, analysts, financial advisors, managers, and more.
Marketing
If you’re more interested in a specialty career, obtaining a business degree in marketing is a fantastic option.
Businesses will always require marketing to sell their products and services, making this skill in high demand.
Also, with the added benefits of the internet, internet marketing is another specialty to consider.
As a marketing student, you’ll experience the importance of social media and maximizing technology for business outreach.
You’ll also learn how to keep brands visible, introducing new companies to a competitive marketplace, and more.
With this degree, you’re most likely to find a career within a company’s marketing division or public relations firm.
Accounting
Accounting has always been one of the more popular types of business degrees, especially for math enthusiasts.
It’s also an essential skill that every business needs, helping this job path to see future exponential growth.
During your time in an accounting program, you’ll explore thinking and analytical skills for decision-making.
You’ll also spend a lot of your time learning how to crunch numbers to develop budgets, work with taxes, and more.
A few other areas of study you can expect include preparing financial statements, providing financial advice, and working with finance laws.
Operations Management
Companies will always need to know the best methods to stay efficient and competitive.
As an operations manager, you’ll be responsible for managing the day-to-day tasks to reach overall goals.
You’ll also be required to analyze the quality of systems, development services, and products to keep the company running smoothly.
Operations managers typically dip their hands into decision modeling, managing schedules, project management, and cost control.
They’re in high demand because every industry requires operations managers, especially supply chains.
General Finance
A general finance degree is a fantastic alternative to accounting and other math-based career fields.
With an understanding of general finance, you can assist businesses in many ways, especially regarding their success.
You’ll use economic and financial data to establish risk assessments for businesses and keep them on budget.
It’s also likely you’ll be one of the first people management comes to if they need to manage expenses and profits.
The majority of individuals graduating with a general finance degree find placement in finance departments.
Alternatively, you can opt to branch out on your own and provide finance consultations to companies worldwide.
Small Business Administration
If you’re the type of person who would prefer to help small businesses than large corporations, this degree is ideal.
A small business administration degree allows you to assist mom-and-pop establishments with managing their responsibilities.
These tasks could include providing HR guidance, managing finances, and working with employer-to-employee relations.
Like a general business degree, you can expect your hands to touch every aspect of owning and operating a small business.
The Highest Paying Business Degrees
It can be beneficial to pick a degree in a growing industry, but your salary is another essential thing to note.
Let’s explore some of the highest paying business degrees across the industry.
Entrepreneurship: $158,560
Being an entrepreneur is a highly volatile field and has the possibility of a high rate of return.
Suppose you can create a business or an idea that generates significant income.
In that case, your salary could be well above the average.
Over ten million self-employed people are working in the United States, showing the popularity of this field.
As an entrepreneur, you’re responsible for creating a business idea and bringing it to fruition.
You’ll be the sole owner or partner, responsible for leading business decisions and operations.
Most of these professionals are highly competitive with an assortment of skills in finance, PR, human resources, and more.
If you’re able to create and manage a successful business, being an entrepreneur can be life-changing.
However, it takes the most work out of any other high-paying business degrees since the responsibility is solely yours.
Finance: $99,330
A finance degree can help you get an assortment of careers in several businesses.
You can work for small shops, large corporations, or even as a personal wealth management professional.
Whenever there’s money involved, those with a finance degree are the most sought-after people in the room.
Along with their high pay rate, they’re also one of the fastest-growing career fields in all of the business industry.
Having a finance degree puts you ahead of the competition from day one due to the desirability of your credentials.
Project Manager: $98,228
If you’re someone with exceptional planning and management skills, a degree as a project manager is ideal.
You’ll focus on supply chain management, economics, and operations management.
There are several duties you’ll be responsible for daily, including planning, budgeting, supervising projects, and managing personnel.
As a project manager, you have to provide plans to an organization ahead of prospective projects.
Your plans will need to detail the associated costs and personnel required for each project.
You’ll also need to ensure the project is completed within the budget and suggested time frame.
Human Resources Management: $83,048
As a step up from standard HR professionals, those with a human resources management degree are bound to excel.
You’ll have learned knowledge about psychology, office management, health, and safety.
There are also several tasks that you’ll be responsible for around the office.
Human resources managers are sought after to ensure employees are healthy and happy within the workplace.
They often manage employer-to-employee relations as well as employee-to-employee disputes.
You’ll also find HR managers help with hiring new employees and assisting companies with sticking to regulations.
Best Business Degrees: Final Thoughts
There are multiple options available whether you’re looking for the best business degrees for outlook or salary.
As such a large industry, you have complete control over the degree you obtain to further your career.
Also, there are many specialties to choose from that are always in demand.