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What Can You Do with a Business Degree?

Written by Laura Amendola on Monday, 28 October 2024. Posted in Career

Man and woman giving a high-five in an office.

If you’re looking for a rewarding, interesting career that gives you a lot of options, you might want to consider looking into business management. Business management is the organizing and planning of the necessary activities to run and manage a business efficiently. This includes activities handling finances, accounting, customer service, and human resources. To lead a company, it takes skilled, qualified individuals to ensure the business is profitable and operating legally. Though it’s a big responsibility, business management offers many different career options in many different sectors. Here’s what you need to know about the role and career options to help you decide if it’s right for you.

Is business management a good career?

Businesses are a vital part of any community, which means the demand for individuals with business knowledge will never disappear, so there will always be a level of job security. A business degree can also offer you many career choices. From the sciences to the arts to commerce, every industry requires managerial and business expertise. This means you don’t have to limit yourself in what type of work you want to do. A business degree can also mean you have the tools needed to start and manage your own company, so you can even be your own boss.

Aside from job security, individuals who have a business degree may also enjoy higher paying salaries. The Department of Labor found that the average salary for business and finance occupations in 2023 was $79,050, which was higher than the national average for all other fields. Business fields are only expected to continue growing through the end of the decade.

What do I need to earn a business degree?

What you’ll need for a business degree will all depend on your career goals, but there is some basic knowledge and general interests you should possess. Math and communication expertise along with confidence and leadership skills will be essential to starting out. A good education with a solid curriculum can then help you hone those skills, assisting you in developing a broad understanding of business and the specific knowledge needed to help you lead a company successfully.

Dr. Peter Francis, an academic director at Penn Foster Group who oversees the business department, shares the importance of education in the business industry: "Business education is a catalyst for success in two crucial ways: it equips leaders with fundamental skills to navigate challenges, and it expands their vision to recognize and seize opportunities in the ever-evolving business landscape."

What kind of options are there for a business education?

There are several different business degrees you can get! Based upon where you’re at in your academic journey or career, Ashworth College offers a few different options to suit your needs.

Read more: Are Online College Degrees Worth It? (Stories From Online College Grads)

General Business Associate Degree

If you think you’d like a career in business but aren’t quite sure yet, or if you’ve already started your career but are looking to move up the ranks, a General Business Associate Degree might be the right choice for you. It can give you the foundations needed for entry level work or it can provide you with the credentials needed to go with years of work experience in order to obtain a promotion.

Small Business Management Career Diploma

There are also shorter courses that can give you some of the same benefits as a degree program, too. If you are looking to start your own business but don’t feel quite prepared, a Small Business Management Career Diploma can help you cover the basics to give you confidence in this next step in life.

Business Management Undergraduate Certificate

If you think you might want a career in business but aren’t sure if it is the right move for you, a Business Management Undergraduate Certificate may help you decide if you want to go further in this career track. You’ll study the basics including ethics, accounting, marketing, and the principles of finance. Plus, the coursework you complete can possibly be transferred into a degree program if you decide to pursue the next level of business education.

Business Management Bachelor’s Degree

If you’re looking for a deeper dive, a Business Management Bachelor’s Degree can take your studies a step further. Your curriculum will cover the essential concepts used daily for entry-level management positions, like marketing and human resources, coupled with general education courses and electives to help you have a well-rounded education in a variety of industries.

There are also a variety of undergraduate certificates, career diplomas, and career certificates available in business and human resources if you’re looking to specialize or brush up on skills within the realm of business. Check out our Business Management programs to learn more about the options available.

Read more: Is Ashworth College Legit?

What can I do with a business management degree?

Because business management is such a broad field, there are many different types of jobs and industries in which you can work. Many options will depend, though, on what level of education you have. Here are some careers you can go into that show how lucrative obtaining a bachelor’s degree in business can be.

Read more: What’s the Difference Between an Undergraduate Certificate & an Associate Degree?

Human Resources Specialist

Human Resources Specialists work in companies’ human resources departments to recruit, screen, and interview job applicants. They help place applicants in open positions. Other duties may include handling employee benefits, compensation, conducting training, and employee relations.

Average salary: $67,650

Education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Accountant

If finance and numbers are your thing, a career as an accountant might be for you. Accountants prepare and also examine financial records. Overtime can be typical in this field, especially during busy season.

Average salary: $79,880

Education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Financial Analyst

Companies often bring in financial analysts when they need guidance in terms of making spending decisions to attain profit. Financial analysts don’t just work with companies, however. An individual can hire a financial analyst as well.

Average salary: $99,890

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Financial Manager

Working as a financial manager can be a lucrative career. Unlike a financial analyst, working as a financial manager means you’ll be creating documents like financial reports and plans for long-term financial goals. You’ll also direct investment activities. Financial managers can work in many different industries.

Average salary: $156,100

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Loan Officer

If you’ve ever sought out a loan, you likely had a loan officer working on the process of approval. Loan officers are the ones who evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of loan applications. They often work in banks, mortgage companies, or other financial institutions.

Average salary: $69,990

Education requirement: Bachelor’s degree and on-the-job training

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers work in advertising and promotions. They plan out how to garner interest in whatever their company or client is selling, whether it be a product or services. Working as a marketing manager could potentially involve travel to meet with clients.

Average salary: $156,580

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree

There are of course other jobs you can get if you opt for an associate degree, career diploma, or certificate, including administrative assistant, bookkeeper, and even business owner. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, whichever degree track you choose, you can expect better salaries and higher employment rates than if you only had a high school diploma.

Read more: 3 Reasons to Enroll in Online College

How much does a business degree cost?

Since the requirements for a business degree vary depending on your goals, the cost of your degree can be different depending upon which program you choose. The longer the course, the more money it will cost. At public colleges and universities, tuition can cost tens of thousands of dollars. However, Ashworth College believes in making education accessible for everyone, so affordable tuition is offered at every degree level with monthly payment plans available. Plus, if you’ve already started a program somewhere else, you may be able to transfer credits on completed courses. If your school is nationally accredited and you’ve successfully passed the course, you may be eligible for credit, saving you even more.

Get down to business with Ashworth

If you’re ready to take the next steps towards starting your business degree, Ashworth College is here to help get you started through flexible, self-paced online learning. Request more info, enroll online today to get started, or call an Admissions Advisor at 1-800-957-5412 to learn more.

Let's talk about your educational goals. Call 1-800-957-5412