The best majors for business school can help you build a successful business career in an area that is of particular interest to you. Business jobs are predicted to be in high demand in the years ahead, so enrolling in a business degree program is a wise move.
Employers are looking for people who have the skills and expertise required to succeed in this fast-growing industry. This article reveals the best college majors for business school and provides guidance on how to choose a major for business school.
What Major Is the Best for Business School?
Marketing is the best major for business school because it offers high-paying job opportunities and has a strong job outlook. The median salary for a marketing manager is $135,030, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Additionally, job opportunities for marketing managers are projected to grow faster than average at 10 percent from 2020 to 2030, with the creation of 31,100 jobs each year.
How to Choose a Major for Business School
- Consult someone in the field. A good approach to learning about a business career is to speak with someone who is already doing it. As a student, you can meet with business professionals in various fields and interview them to acquire a better sense of what their work is like.
- Try an internship. If you aren’t sure what you want to pursue a career in, an internship can provide helpful insight. You can even try an internship while you’re enrolled in a college program to see if you’re on the right track before you graduate. Some companies even offer business internships for high school students.
- Take introductory classes. As a student, you will have the opportunity to choose some of your business courses. Consider areas that interest you, such as accounting, marketing, or finance, and take introductory classes early on to learn more about them.
- Seek guidance from advisors. Your teachers and counselors can help steer you on the right path when it comes to deciding on a business major. Talking to those who are familiar with your strengths and weaknesses can be a real help.
- Join business clubs. Many colleges and universities feature a wide variety of clubs for business students to join, where they can mingle and learn vital job skills. Some clubs invite industry experts, like business development specialists, to speak with students and share their experiences.
What Are the Best Majors for Business School?
- Marketing | Average Salary: $135,030
- Finance | Average Salary: $131,710
- Communications (for jobs in sales) | Average Salary: $127,490
- Human Resources | Average Salary: $126,230
- Non-Profit Management | Average Salary: $119,860
- Healthcare Administration | Average Salary: $101,340
- Entrepreneurship | Average Salary: $98,980
- Project Management | Average Salary: $98,890
- International Business | Average Salary: $97,970
- General Business | Average Salary: $97,970
Best College Majors for Business School: Explained
Marketing | Average Salary: $135,030
A marketing major teaches students how to conduct market research to determine what products or services to sell and how to sell them. You will learn about consumer behavior so that you can better understand how to attract and retain customers.
Graduates with a marketing degree may be hired by a company to handle its marketing and branding initiatives or instead might choose to work for a marketing firm, where they will provide advertising and marketing services to a wide range of clients.
Finance | Average Salary: $131,710
Finance majors study financial accounting and portfolio management, along with economics. Because of the global nature of today’s financial markets, there is a particularly wide range of finance positions available. Financial analysts and bankers are two possible careers for finance graduates. With sufficient experience, advancement to the position of finance manager is possible. A degree in finance can also lead to a career as a financial advisor for individuals or businesses.
Communications (for jobs in sales) | Average Salary: $127,490
Communications is one of the best business school majors for those who want to pursue a career in sales. In order to be successful, sales associates and managers need to be able to communicate to customers and potential customers that they understand their needs and can meet them.
A sales manager works in a retail environment or in an office setting, helping the sales team sell goods and services ranging from software to clothing. With a degree in communications plus on-the-job experience, a sales associate can advance into a more lucrative management role.
Human Resources | Average Salary: $126,230
Majoring in human resources can teach you how to attract qualified employees, conduct professional job interviews, and choose the best candidates. You will also learn about employee remuneration, benefits, and well-being.
Human resources positions can be found in a variety of settings, including for-profit and non-profit corporations, educational institutions, and the government. You will likely need to begin your career as a specialist before moving up into management.
Non-Profit Management | Average Salary: $119,860
Courses in nonprofit governance and leadership may be part of your curriculum with a human resources major. You will also study budgeting and grants, marketing, and project management and learn how to cultivate positive public relations.
You can work as a program director, public relations manager, or community engagement coordinator with a degree in non-profit management. Charities, hospitals, religious organizations, schools, and museums are all possible places of employment.
Healthcare Administration | Average Salary: $101,340
Courses in healthcare administration will teach you how to oversee the day-to-day operations of a medical facility or hospital. You will learn how to devise goals for patient care and operate within a budget while ensuring that the facility where you work is operating smoothly and efficiently.
You might also study healthcare laws and regulations. Working in a clinic, hospital, or nursing home can be on your list of career path options. Opportunities for government jobs are also possible in this sector.
Entrepreneurship | Average Salary: $98,980
With a major in entrepreneurship, you will take courses to develop your management and leadership skills. Advertising, finance, and human resources management are other areas you will learn about in your foundational business classes.
Many students are interested in starting a business, and this major can help make the process much easier. It can help you get your business off on the right foot, grow your business, and manage that growth.
Project Management | Average Salary: $98,890
Students with a project management major will learn how to manage a project from start to finish. This involves practical skills like negotiating contracts and resolving issues with clients as well as procurement and team management.
More and more, project management involves overseeing initiatives in international contexts. Infrastructure, healthcare, and manufacturing are just a few of the industries where project managers can be found. Leadership jobs may require additional training, depending on your career route.
International Business | Average Salary: $97,970
This major features courses similar to other business courses but with an international perspective. Topics might include international business law or social media marketing to a global audience. Studying a foreign language is also important for international business majors.
In today’s global market, a degree in international business can help you get a job anywhere in the world. There are opportunities for advancement into top executive positions through enough on-the-job experience.
General Business | Average Salary: $97,970
A major in business, general business, or the like is the way to go for those interested in learning about small business management. Courses in budgeting and project management are commonplace in this type of program. You can also learn how to write a business plan, brainstorm new products, and manage an online store to better prepare you for working in a small business.
General business majors can get on-the-job experience as managers to learn the workings of a small business. Some might go on to become business owners themselves.
What Are the Best Careers in Business?
With a major in business or a related field, you can get a job such as marketing manager, financial manager, fundraising manager, or medical and health services manager. Careers related to managerial and administrative positions are best suited for students with business majors.
Top 10 Best Careers in Business
There are several careers a business student can pursue. A bachelor’s degree in your chosen field of interest will suffice for entry-level positions and higher positions for those with experience. Getting a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) is a good idea if you want to pursue top positions. The MBA is the most popular master’s degree among both men and women in the US, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Marketing Manager
- Average Salary: $135,030
- Job Outlook: 10% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Among their many duties, marketing managers are responsible for preparing marketing campaign estimates and budgets and getting their approval, working with advertising agencies, and reviewing advertising materials, such as print ads, TV ads, and digital advertising.
Financial Manager
- Average Salary: $131,710
- Job Outlook: 17% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
A financial manager in a major firm may specialize in a certain area of finance, such as financial reports or cash management, while a financial manager in a small business may be in charge of the entire financial operation.
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Fundraising Manager
- Average Salary: $119,860
- Job Outlook: 13% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Charities and non-profits rely on fundraising managers to raise money. These professionals build and maintain a network of potential contributors, including corporate foundations, governing bodies, philanthropic organizations, and individual donors, to meet their fundraising goals.
Athletic Business Manager
- Average Salary: $116,410
- Job Outlook: 8.5% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
An athletic business manager is in charge of an athlete’s career. These professionals oversee contracts with corporate sponsors and make sure that the athlete’s schedule runs smoothly. They might also help build the athlete’s personal brand through marketing and public relations.
Medical and Health Services Manager
- Average Salary: $101,340
- Job Outlook: 32% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Medical and health services managers are the people who do the behind-the-scenes planning, directing, and coordinating at medical facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, group practices, and other types of healthcare establishments to ensure that everything runs well.
Administrative Services Manager
- Average Salary: $99,290
- Job Outlook: 9% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Administrative services managers are responsible for operations management and for planning, directing, and coordinating an organization’s support services. In general, they are responsible for the preservation of facilities and the supervision of activities such as recordkeeping, the distribution of mail, and office maintenance.
Computer Systems Analyst
- Average Salary: $99,270
- Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
A systems analyst’s job is to be a digital forensics expert. They document technological systems in order to learn about them and make improvements to them. This may entail using specialized software to identify the cause of a computer system’s malfunction so that they can repair it.
Construction Manager
- Average Salary: $98,890
- Job Outlook: 11% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Construction managers are responsible for monitoring construction projects from start to finish. They work with contractors, make their team’s schedules, and organize all of the construction procedures to ensure that the finished product meets the designer’s standards. They do all of this while ensuring the project stays on schedule and on budget.
Management Analyst
- Average Salary: $93,000
- Job Outlook: 14% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Management analysts, or management consultants, help improve organizational efficiency. They use business analytics to advise decision-makers on how to make their business more lucrative by cutting costs and increasing income.
Food Service Manager
- Average Salary: $59,440
- Job Outlook: 15% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: High school diploma or equivalent
These managers are in charge of running restaurants and other enterprises that offer food or beverages on a day-to-day basis. Customer satisfaction is a top priority, and managers are in charge of ensuring that the restaurant stays profitable.
Is Marketing a Good Business Major?
Yes, marketing is one of the best majors for business school because of the wide range of high-paying, in-demand positions available, as well as the numerous chances for further education that it provides. Salaries ranging from $77,000 to $208,000 are not uncommon for marketing majors.
Best Majors for Business School FAQ
Yes, business majors are worth it. If you are already working and want to advance in your business career, a business degree can make a big difference. It can help you get a better job, move up in your company, and make more money over your lifetime.
A Master’s Degree in Business administration is best for business owners. With a degree in business administration or a related field, you can build a strong foundation for a lucrative career. Having a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) can help you stand out and go further in this competitive field.
When choosing the right business school for you, consider the faculty’s experience and professionalism, the real-world business opportunities provided by the school, the diversity of the student body, and the flexibility and format of the programs.
A good business major is one that enables students to apply best business practices in their business ventures, sharpen their business skills, be assertive in their decisions, develop critical thinking and leadership skills, and build good interpersonal communication skills.
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