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Is a degree in business administration worth it?

Written by: Jason Lee, Edited by: Jenny Kiesewetter

Published: February 10, 2025


Leading a business or an organization requires a diverse set of skills, from understanding accounting to mastering marketing to navigating logistical challenges and even understanding the wider implications of economics.

While this may feel like a tall task, a degree in business administration can help you gain the knowledge needed to get there.

What is a bachelor's degree in business administration?

A bachelor's degree in business administration is a four-year undergraduate program that teaches the fundamentals of how to lead a business or professional organization at any level, with a particular focus on the day-to-day operations.

Students can expect to see courses such as:

Additionally, many business administration degree programs give students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with real-world situations. These programs can prepare students to work in existing companies or start their own.

Benefits of a bachelor's degree in business administration

Business administration degrees can help you:

  • Develop transferable skills that can be applied across industries
  • Understand business operations and prepare you to work in existing businesses or start your own
  • Specialize in marketing, project management, human resources, operations management, and more
  • Explore different industries to find the career track that best fits your goals
  • Access networking opportunities with peers, faculty, and other industry professionals

How much money can you make with a bachelor's degree in business administration?

A bachelor's degree in business administration can help you pursue roles across a wide variety of industries.

Here are a few roles you can pursue with median annual salaries from 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.

Frequently asked questions about a bachelor's in business administration degree

Are graduates of a bachelor's degree in business administration in demand?

According to the BLS, business and financial occupations are projected to grow faster than average from 2023–33, with about 963,500 jobs added to the field annually across the decade. A bachelor's in business administration can prepare you to enter this fast-growing field.

How much can you earn with a bachelor's in business administration?

The salary range for business administration graduates varies widely and depends on your industry, location, and specialization. Roles like administrative assistant report median salaries of $46,010 in 2023 per BLS data, while roles like human resources manager earned $136,350 in the same year.

What is the difference between business administration and business management degrees?

A degree in business administration focuses more on a business's day-to-day operations. On the other hand, a business management degree focuses more on broader strategic decisions for business. When applying for jobs, applicants can expect to see a lot of crossover in positions that will accept either degree.

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