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.
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.
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.
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 wage for human resources specialists was $62,290 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,680, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $108,160. (1)
(1) Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Human Resources Specialists,at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm (visited May 16, 2022).
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 median annual wage for accountants and auditors was $77,250 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $47,970, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $128,970. (2)
(2) Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Accountants and Auditors, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm (visited May 16, 2022). (visited May 16, 2022).
Training and development managers plan, coordinate, and direct skills- and knowledge-enhancement programs for an organization’s staff. Training and development managers work in nearly every industry. They typically work full time, spending much of their day with people. Some work more than 40 hours per week. Training and development managers typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree and related work experience.
The median annual wage for training and development managers was $120,130 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $64,370, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $207,420.(3)
(3) Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Human Resources Specialists, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm (visited May 16, 2022).
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 annual wage for financial analysts was $81,410 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,740, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $163,640. (4)
(4) Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Financial Analysts, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm (visited May 16, 2022).
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 median annual wage for market research analysts was $63,920 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,570, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $128,320. (5)
(5) Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Market Research Analysts, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/market-research-analysts.htm (visited May 16, 2022).
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 annual wage for advertising and promotions managers was $127,150 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $61,250, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $208,000. (6)
(6) Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers,at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm (visited May 16, 2022).