What Can You Do With a Business Administration Degree?

A business administration degree prepares you to tackle today’s most demanding business challenges by teaching you the quantitative knowledge base and management skills you need to contribute to the bottom line of any organization.

Business administration refers to managing a company’s assets—including its properties, people and finances. To run an organization efficiently, profitably and ethically requires a variety of skills.

For example, you need strong analytical skills to make data-informed business decisions, and you need communications expertise to present those decisions effectively. A bachelor's degree in business administration is a popular business program that can help you learn the business basics and develop your leadership ability at the same time.

What is a Degree in Business Administration Good For?

A business administration degree helps you develop the fundamental skills you need to become an entrepreneurial thinker and decision-maker. Most business programs include coursework in accounting, marketing, finance, human resources and information technology. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), business continues to be the most popular undergraduate degree program in the U.S. Of the 3 million students who completed bachelor’s degrees in the 2019-2020 school year, 387,900 were business majors.

Business administration programs may cover a wider range of topics than other programs, such as finance or accounting. Still, these programs may allow you to specialize in a specific content area after completing a core of business and general education courses.

For example, at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), you can choose from more than a dozen business administration concentrations:

• Entrepreneurship degree
• International business degree
• Organizational leadership degree
• Project management degree
• Public administration degree

Specializing in a particular business area can help you tailor your degree to the industry you plan to enter after you graduate.

If your goal is to become a manager, you could consider advancing your education with a Master of Business Administration after earning your undergraduate degree. Often referred to as an MBA degree, this program builds upon your foundational skills and helps you in roles that require critical thinking and problem-solving.

It can also lead to greater salary potential. According to a survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), MBA graduates can expect to out-earn their undergraduate colleagues. The survey found that at $115,000, the median starting salary of MBA grads was 77% more than that of people who had a bachelor’s degree (GMAC PDF source).

Beyond potential career and salary advancement, there are several other good reasons for getting an MBA.

Doctoral business administration programs are ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in academia and contributing to business scholarship.

Business administration degrees are popular because they can prepare you for jobs in business that capitalize on your strengths. So whether you enjoy analyzing numbers, motivating teams or developing sales strategies, earning a business administration degree can put you on the path to a rewarding career.

What is the Scope of Business Administration?

Depending on your role at a particular company, you may use your business administration background to contribute to the finance, sales, human resources or operations departments in various sectors, including manufacturing, health care, government or nonprofit agencies. You may also take part in long-range strategic planning or work on special projects to guide your company in making critical business decisions.

According to Indeed, business administration professionals have responsibilities that include:

• Analyzing and overseeing key components of a business unit
• Managing operations
• Recruiting new employees
• Supervising and motivating team members
• Working effectively both individually and as part of a team

A business administration degree doesn’t constrict you to an office setting, either. You can find professionals with business administration backgrounds working in hospitals, hotels, on construction sites or in the arts, to name a few.

What Types of Jobs Can You Get with a Business Administration Degree?

Earning a degree in business administration can pay off, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). BLS reports employment in business and financial operations occupations are projected to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031. In addition, the median annual salary for those employed in business and financial occupations in 2021 was $76,570—much higher than the median salary for all occupations of $45,760.

Here are a few popular jobs you might consider with an undergraduate degree in business administration.

• Accountant: If you enjoy crunching numbers, you can find work as an accountant in a wide variety of industries. Accountants can examine a company’s financial statements, review accounting systems, ensure regulatory compliance and analyze ways to reduce costs and increase revenue. According to BLS, they earned a median salary of $77,250 in 2021 and the field is expected to grow by 6% through 2031. Consider what else you can do with an accounting education.

• Administrative Services Manager: As an administrative services manager, your job could include supervising a team of administrative staff or overseeing a department such as printing services or facilities. Administrative service managers analyze company operations and recommend changes to increase efficiency and ensure compliance. According to BLS, administrative services managers earned a median salary of $99,290 in 2021. Jobs for administrative services managers are projected to grow 7% through 2031.

• Financial Analyst: As a financial analyst, you look at financial data and economic forecasts to help your organization make important business and investment decisions. Financial analysts will increasingly look at global investment opportunities as the economy grows and companies continue to expand internationally. Employment of financial analysts is projected to grow 9% through 2031, and, in 2021, they earned a median salary of $95,570, according to BLS. See how you can become a financial analyst.

• Health Services Manager: If you pursue a concentration in healthcare administration, you may be prepared for a role in one of the top medical careers, including medical and health services manager. Individuals in these roles may manage an entire facility, a specific clinical area or department, or a medical practice on behalf of a group of health care providers. According to the BLS, medical and health services managers earned a median salary of $101,340 in 2021. The job is projected to grow 28% through 2031 – much faster than the national average for all occupations.

• Human Resources Specialist: As a human resources specialist, you could help shape your organization's future by recruiting and retaining workers essential to the growth of your organization. Human resources specialists may also develop and communicate company policies, ease employee conflicts and administer benefits. According to BLS, human resources specialists earned a median salary of $62,290 in 2021. Additionally, jobs for human resources specialists are projected to grow 8% through 2031. You might also consider how to become a human resources manager.

• Management Analyst: Management analysts or consultants look for ways to improve an organization’s efficiency and profitability. By interviewing people, analyzing data and making recommendations, they help companies stay competitive and enter new markets. According to BLS, management analysts earned a median salary of $93,000 in 2021. Jobs in this field are projected to grow 11% through 2031.

• Market Research Analyst: Market research analysts examine and evaluate market conditions to determine how products or services will perform. According to BLS, market research analysts earned a median of $63,920 in 2021, and jobs are projected to grow 19% through 2031 – much faster than the national average for all occupations.

• Marketing Manager: As a marketing manager, you can help define a company’s target market, build its brand and set the stage for increased sales. Marketing managers plan promotional campaigns and oversee social media development and engagement, email marketing and website content development and analytics. According to BLS, marketing managers made a median salary of $133,380 in 2021, and the field is expected to grow by 10% through 2031. Explore other careers in marketing.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Business Administration Degree?

Earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration might not take as long as you think. While bachelor's degrees are often referred to as "four-year degrees," the amount of time it takes to earn your bachelor's in business administration will vary. For example, the number of courses you take each term, the number of terms your program offers each year, and the number of college credits you've already earned will all factor into how long it will take you to finish.

If you already have some classes done and are looking to transfer credits to another college, you'll want to look for a transfer-friendly university. For example, SNHU will accept up to 90 transfer credits toward your undergraduate business administration program.

Enrolling in an online business administration program may also allow you greater flexibility to fit classes into your schedule. You can complete coursework each week at the times that make sense for you as well as slow down or speed up your pacing by switching between part-time and full-time courseloads.

Discover how online classes can work with your life.

Is a Business Administration Degree Worth It?

If you wonder what the career potential is with a business administration degree, consider this: Several of the top undergraduate majors in demand by employers were business majors, according to results of a recent survey published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Of those majors, business administration/management ranked among the top five, with 54.5% of employers intending to hire from that educational background.

In addition to analytical insight, today’s employers seek complex problem solvers and professionals who exhibit strong interpersonal skills and can quickly adapt to changing situations, according to Indeed. These are all soft skills you can expect to further develop in a business administration program.

Whether you’re looking to enter the job market or step up to a management role, a business administration degree is versatile enough to equip you with the knowledge and skills today’s hiring managers are seeking.

Discover more about SNHU’s bachelor's in business administration: Find out what courses you'll take, skills you’ll learn and how to request information about the program.

Krysten Godfrey Maddocks '11 is a writer and marketing/communication professional. Connect with her on LinkedIn.