With online business degree programs being offered from universities across the country, you can acquire the credentials you need to excel in and advance your career, all from the comfort of your home.
An online associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree program in business will provide you with the strong practical and theoretical knowledge you need to succeed in areas such as human resources, management, business administration, finance, and more. This guide will explore topics such as business degree specializations, which colleges offer online business degrees, common misconceptions about business degrees, how to find high-paying careers, and more.
Is a Business Degree Worth It?
With the right educational background, you can reach new heights in your business career, no matter which industry you are in. In business, you can pursue a profession in many areas, such as marketing, management, accounting, finance, or human resources.
The most popular major among college students, business can lead you to a stable job after you receive your diploma. The return of investment for those with a business degree is excellent. In fact, the average cost for an in-state public business program is $6,577 per year, and out-of-state private school programs have an average tuition of $29,650 per year. According to the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, the average salary for business majors is $85,676 per year.
| Total Business Degrees Awarded in 2016 | 800,019 | Growing 0.93% |
| Average In-State Public School Tuition | $6,577 per year | Growing 1.03% |
| Average Out-of-State Private School Tuition | $29,650 per year | Growing 4.04% |
| Average Wage | $85,676 | Growing 3.07% |
| People in Workforce | 10.5 million | Growing 1.61% |
| Average Employee Age | 43.6 years old | Growing 0.39% |
In-Demand Business Degrees
With the versatility of an online business degree, you can specialize in a variety of disciplines. As you study your targeted area, you will build a strong foundation in business principles and theories and gain practical real-world knowledge that can be applied to almost any industry. Business degrees are available in all of the following areas:
- Accounting
- Acquisitions
- Banking
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Management
- Event Planning
- Finance
- Financial Planning
- Global Management
- Healthcare
- Hospitality Management
- Human Resources
- Information Security
- Insurance
- Logistics
- Management
- Marketing
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Real Estate
- Sales
- Sports Management
- Taxes
- Training and Development
Associate Degree Programs in Business
An online associate degree program in business can introduce you to the wide range of versatile business skills. Offering the ability to earn your degree on your own time, an online associate degree in business can help you pursue an entry-level position in a business role.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Business
If you have already earned an associate degree, you may be ready to expand your knowledge and pursue an online Bachelor of Business Administration. A BBA program teaches the fundamental principles of how businesses operate. Often offering several specializations, online BBA programs open doors to many job opportunities. As you earn your bachelor’s degree online, you will have the ability to gain real-world experience in the specialty you choose.
Master of Business Administration Programs
With an online Master of Business Administration, you can advance your career and pursue a leadership position within your industry. Online MBA programs will build on your existing business knowledge and give you the advanced skills needed to rise to the top in your profession. Designed for working professionals, online master’s degree programs offer you the flexibility you need to earn your degree while maintaining your busy schedule.
What to Look for In an Online Business School?
When searching for the right school for your online business degree, you should find one that offers:
- Quality
- Flexibility
- Affordability
- Experienced faculty members
- High post-graduation job placement rate
Additionally, check to see if both the school and its online business programs are accredited. Business programs can be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), or the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
Accredited online business degree programs are held to high quality standards, meaning that you gain credentials that are highly sought after by employers.
Common Misconceptions About Online Business Degrees
While some business degrees lead you to careers that focus on numbers, such as those in accounting and finance, others can teach you marketing, management, business administration, human resources, and more. If you choose a career that deals with numbers, much business math is fairly simple. However, there are software programs that can help you with complex calculations.
Online business degrees allow you to explore many different areas. With the option to earn a general business degree, you can get a well-rounded education in all aspects in business and have the ability to choose a specialization if you’d like. Other business programs let you focus solely on areas such as human resources, marketing, sports management, and more.
While business is the most popular major, college graduates holding a business degree are in demand in virtually every industry. You will have the skills to land a job and succeed in your career, no matter what path you take.
Interview with an MBA Graduate
View All InterviewsMBA Graduate, CSP Online
How To Juggle an Online MBA with Other Commitments?
Andrea is currently earning her Master of Business Administration online through Concordia University, St. Paul. Online MBA programs have become a popular option for working professionals who want to advance their careers.
View Full InterviewI’d advise [you] to be seriously introspective about what you want to get out of your career. If you’re thinking “I want an MBA just to say I have one,” I’d advise to find a better source of motivation. If you want to learn to be a better leader and gain higher-level strategic thinking abilities, then I’d suggest pursuing the degree.
Self-motivation and emotional management. I feel like “time management” is talked about a lot as a requirement for online degrees, but I think emotional management has been more important for me. It’s been important to me to have self-motivation to get papers done on time and emotional management to balance the stress.
The greatest challenge for me was staying emotionally balanced. It’s easy to get caught up in stress and start to neglect personal relationships. I tried not to do that by checking in regularly with friends and family. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like there’s time to stay in touch and meet obligations, but it’s better for [your] emotional well-being to try.
Work-life balance! Working and going to school is a lot. There are always deadlines and the accompanying stress. I’ve made sure to find time to do things like practice yoga and go to spin classes as “me time.” You can’t just ignore your emotional well-being for two whole years. I had to find ways to reward myself.
Where Can a Business Degree Take You?
After you have earned your business degree online, you can pursue many professions. Here are some of the highest paying and in-demand careers in business.
In-Demand Business Careers
All career information is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Chief Executive Officer
In charge of a company’s overall direction, chief executive officers manage all aspects of the business and ensure that goals are met.
- Median annual salary: $189,600
- Job outlook: -4%
- Typical education: Bachelor’s or master’s degree
Human Resources Manager
Human resources managers oversee an organization’s recruiting and hiring process, employee benefits, and conflict resolution. They also act as a link between the company’s management and employees.
- Median annual salary: $113,300
- Job outlook: 9%
- Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
General Manager
Human resources managers oversee an organization’s recruiting and hiring process, employee benefits, and conflict resolution. They also act as a link between the company’s management and employees.
- Median annual salary: $113,300
- Job outlook: 9%
- Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
Market Research Analyst
A market research analyst assesses market conditions for the potential sales for a company’s product or services.
- Median annual salary: $63,120
- Job outlook: 23%
- Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
Financial Manager
Financial managers oversee of a company’s financial health. They prepare financial statements and forecasts, oversee employees, and assist management with financial decisions.
- Median annual salary: $127,990
- Job outlook: 19%
- Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
Cost Estimator
Responsible for estimating the materials, time, money, and labor required to produce a product or service, cost estimators collaborate with sales teams and determine ways to reduce costs.
- Median annual salary: $64,040
- Job outlook: 11%
- Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
Explore Business Degrees Online
With one of the many online business degrees available, you can boost your credentials for a career in any number of industries and specializations. As almost every organization needs business professionals, an online business degree program can help you achieve a high-demand job with an attractive salary.
