Why Pursue An Online Degree In Business?
A business degree has been the most popular undergraduate degree for many decades because it allows a wide range of career opportunities. Graduates with business degrees typically work as Accountants, Auditors, Budget Analysts, Financial Analysts, HR Specialists, Logisticians, Market Research Analysts, Training or Development Specialists to name a few. Students with this degree are also qualified to pursue MBA programs.
Business occupations are growing faster than average compared to non-business careers. According to the BLS, business and financial operations occupations is projected to grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028. This rapid growth is due to the fact that most industries are increasingly using business related professions, such as market research analysts, to evaluate and develop marketing and business strategies.
Our Most Popular Online Business Programs
If you know which area of study you are generally interested in, the next step would be to choose a program focus, or "Concentration". There are many different program concentrations to choose from depending on your main area of study interest. Although many online colleges offer the same areas of study, not all schools offer the same program concentrations.
Because program concentrations are more specific, they make it a great way to narrow in on your search when comparing online colleges. To assist you on your online college search journey, we have compiled a list of popular program concentrations for the most popular areas of study that are available for online degrees.
Learn about the theories and practical applications of accounting in areas including corporate accounting, taxation, governmental and not-for-profit accounting, and auditing.
You can study foundational business skills from industry professionals who link industry concepts with practical applications.
Dive deep into psychological theories, data, and research to study the personality, behaviors, motivation, and success factors of individuals who excel at creating and maintaining businesses.
Explores how data analysis is used to make informed business decisions. by Focusing on how to classify data and how to apply data analysis to organizational decisions relating to opportunities and risks.
Along with exploring business fundamentals, you can work to develop proficiency in financial accounting, investments, and risk assessment.
This concentration includes areas such as employment law, staffing, hiring, compensation, benefits, workforce development, and performance improvement.
What Career Paths are Possible with a Business Degree?
Because program concentrations are more specific, they make it a great way to narrow in on your search when comparing online colleges. To assist you on your online college search journey, we have compiled a list of popular program concentrations for the most popular areas of study that are available for online degrees.
Choose an option below to see career paths possible with a business degree:
Human Resources Specialists
Preferred Degree: Bachelors
Job Outlook: 7%
Median Salary: $61,920
Often referred to as an HR specialist, people employed in this position help the employer find and screen applicants that are best suited for the company at that point in time. The Human Resource Specialist is an indispensable position in big companies that perform background checks, screen candidates, review their resumes and recruit applicants that meet the cut. In some cases are not limited to just recruiting but bringing new applicants up to speed with the organization’s policies.
The median annual salary for persons in this field is $61,920 with an estimated annual growth of ~7%. (1)
Our top 3 programs matching a "Human Resources Specialist" career path
(1) BLS Citation: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm
Accounting
Preferred Degree: Bachelors
Job Outlook: 10%
Median Salary: $71,550
Being an accountant is more than preparing tax returns. A company’s accountant is an important position to fill as the person in that seat is tasked with an advisory role on ways to reduce costs and maximize revenue streams. The account is also charged with computing the company’s taxes, assessing financial operations, ensuring that the company’s financial statements are in compliance with the law, preparing and maintaining accurate financial records.
The top 10% with an Accounting career earn an average of $124,450 with the median salary being $71,550. The expected annual growth is expected to be ~4%. (2)
Our top 3 programs matching a "Accounting" career path
(2) BLS Citation: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm
Administrative Manager
Preferred Degree: Bachelors
Job Outlook: 6%
Median Salary: $96,940
The manager helps the company to supervise administrative and clerical staff. An administrative manager helps the firm/company keep track of records, office upkeep and distribution of mail. They are also called business office managers and they also oversee the maintenance and replacement of office equipment.
The median salary for an administrative service manager is $96,940, and the top 10% in this field earn as much as $166,330 and it is estimated to have an average annual growth of 6%. (3)
Our top 3 programs matching a "administrative manager" career path
(3) BLS Citation: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm
Financial Analyst
Preferred Degree: Bachelors
Job Outlook: 5%
Median Salary: $81,590
The financial analyst in any firm is the person responsible for planning the company’s financial future. The analyst is tasked with the analysis of the financial projections, forecast of the expenditures and revenue streams and figuring out the budget for projects the company intends to undergo.
The median salary for a financial analyst is $81,590, with an estimated yearly growth of 5% and the top 10% earning as much as $167,420. (4)
Our top 3 programs matching a "Financial Analyst" career path
(4) BLS Citation: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm
Market Research Analyst
Preferred Degree: Bachelors
Job Outlook: 18%
Median Salary: $63,790
Market Research Analysts help the company assess consumer preferences by targeting markets through study of the market conditions, trends, consumer behavior and purchasing patterns. Properly understanding these market metrics would allow the company to strategize the right ways and means to identify target customers with the use of market analysis, questionnaires and interviews. Analysts are most times hired to work as part of a marketing team or hired on contract at consulting firms.
The occupation is expected to have a 18% annual growth, with the median salary being $63,790 and the top 10% earning about $122,630. (5)
Our top 3 programs matching a "Market Research Analyst" career path
(5) BLS Citation: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm
Advertising and Marketing Manager
Preferred Degree: Bachelors
Job Outlook: 6%
Median Salary: $135,900
The advertising and marketing manager helps the firm to coordinate the affairs of both the advertising and marketing departments. This is a hybrid position that ensures that the product or service being offered is correctly advertised and marketed to the target audience.
The median salary for people in this field is $135,900, with an estimated annual growth of 6%. The top 10% earn as much as $208,000 annually. (6)
Our top 3 programs matching a "Advertising & Marketing Manager" career path
(6) BLS Citation: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Business Degrees
Question: What degree level is best for me if I have a high school diploma or GED and I am interested in Business Careers?
Answer: The first step to choosing a degree level to start with should be based on your highest level of education. If you have a high school diploma or a general education diploma (GED), you have a few options depending on what your overall career goal is. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), most entry level jobs require at least a bachelor's degree. an associate's degrees can be a great stepping stone to a bachelor's degree, but to get ahead of the pack, we would recommend pursing a bachelor's degree.
Question: What is the difference between an "MBA" and a "Master's Degree in Business"?
Answer: A "MBA" and a "Master's in Business" are very similar and are many times referring to the same thing. an "MBA" is an abbreviation for a Master's Degree in Business Administration which a "Master's Degree in Business" can refer to a number of specific business programs that are not specific to business administration but are business related (ie. Master's of Science - Accounting). However, most "Master's Degrees in Business" are MBA programs with specific concentrations (ie. Masters in Business Administration - Information Technology).
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