What can you do with a business administration degree?

Are you looking for a career that gives you many options, in addition to a generous salary and the ability to work for different types of organizations? Consider a business administration degree. You’ll have the opportunity to learn a wide range of skills and you can choose to concentrate in a particular area, such as finance, accounting, marketing, management, statistics or economics.¹

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, business occupations are projected to see high job growth rates within the next decade. This includes 19% projected job growth for market research analysts, an 11% rise for management analysts and 10% more jobs for advertising, promotions and marketing managers.^2,3,4,5

In this article, we discuss what you can do with a business administration degree, the salaries for top business administration careers and how a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) can open the door to a rewarding and lucrative career.

In the workplace, business administration encompasses all of a company’s efforts to achieve its goals through optimal use of its workforce and material resources.⁶ In a business administration role, you might manage the company’s resources, supervise staff, hire new employees or oversee and report on various aspects of the business. A degree in business administration can lead to a wide variety of career opportunities in healthcare, manufacturing, civil service, finance, retail, education and nonprofit organizations.⁶

In general, a bachelor of science program is more focused on technical fields than a bachelor of arts program is. A Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree provides a comprehensive education in business, with courses in both liberal arts and applied science, with a stronger emphasis on science, math and analysis than a bachelor of arts in business administration (BBA) provides.^7,8

With a BSBA, you’ll learn about business, communications, accounting, marketing, business analytics and business ethics, making you highly valuable to a future employer.⁸ Note that we are discussing business administration, which is not to be confused with public administration. Although both areas involve managing, planning and similar types of activities, public administration focuses on policymaking for government agencies and nonprofits, whereas business administration is centered around companies in the private sector.⁹

Here are some of the careers you can pursue with a BSBA:¹⁰

As a marketing manager, you’ll be developing strategies to help your company get and sustain a competitive advantage in its market. You’ll lead a team that will develop, implement and evaluate market strategies using market research and pricing plans, in collaboration with other company departments.¹⁰

Depending on the company size, a sales manager might recruit salespeople and develop training programs, create projections and set sales goals, analyze sales data and manage the company’s sales budget.¹⁰

Your role as a business consultant would be to advise various companies and assist them in gaining or keeping their competitive edge. This may include conducting studies on the business and market, interviewing team members, and observing workplace practices. You would then analyze the data and provide a comprehensive report to company executives.¹⁰

A market research analyst may work privately or as part of a team to help businesses determine the products and services that their target customers want. In this role, you will monitor current marketing and sales trends and develop methods to collect consumer data. You will then create easy-to-understand reports to share this information with management.¹⁰

The primary task of a human resources specialist is to match job-seekers with the most appropriate positions and employers. The specialist acts as a liaison between employers and job candidates, learning about the company’s hiring requirements and the individual’s career goals. Human resources professionals conduct interviews, run background and reference checks, and conduct orientation programs for new employees. They must also ensure compliance with local, state, and federal employment regulations.¹⁰

You may be asking yourself, “Is a BA in business administration worth it?” When trying to decide between a BBA and a BSBA, think about the type of career you’d prefer—one that centers exclusively around people, such as human resources, or as a financial advisor, analyst or financial manager, which will involve in-depth analysis and reports.⁸

If you’re also wondering “How much should I make with a BSBA?” you should know that the more technical careers that a BSBA will prepare you for often pay more but require different skills. Your ideal career will depend not just on compensation, but also on your personality and interests.

There are many high-paying careers in the world of business, and every company, at some point in its development, will require business managers and financial advisors. What is the highest salary in business administration? Based on median pay, some of the top-paying business and financial occupations are financial analysts ($95,570), project management specialists ($94,500) and personal financial advisors ($94,170).¹⁶

Among management occupations, the highest salaries in 2021 were for computer and information systems managers ($159,010), architectural and engineering managers ($152,350) and natural sciences managers ($137,900).¹⁷

If you want to immerse yourself in the full spectrum of the business world, the BSBA is highly recommended. You’ll learn BBA skills such as communication, accounting, marketing and ethics, in addition to advanced analytical skills that help businesses turn large amounts of data into actionable insights. ⁸

Having a college degree doesn’t just give you more career possibilities. It also raises your earning potential and increases your chance of continuous employment, even during economic downturns. Those with a bachelor’s degree earn approximately $69,368 a year with a 3.5% unemployment rate, compared to a high school graduate, who earns $42,068 with a 6.2% unemployment rate.¹⁸