Organizations of all shapes and sizes depend on business principles to thrive. Individuals who have completed a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field can help these organizations meet or exceed their goals.
While some students begin with an associate degree in business and transfer to a bachelor’s business degree program, others head straight towards pursuing a four-year business degree. Those who earn a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field gain highly transferable skills and might work in virtually any industry.
Whether a student has the desire to work for a nonprofit, startup, or Fortune 500 company, they can benefit from a business degree. They may begin their careers at one type of organization and eventually work in a completely different one. This versatility of a business related bachelor’s degree is appealing to many individuals.
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After performing extensive research, WorldWideLearn has determined the 25 best business majors for 2019. We are hopeful that this list will open up your eyes to the plethora of business majors available and help you figure out whether a four-year business degree is right for you. If you would like more details on our ranking methodology for the best business degrees, check out the bottom of this page.
1. Business Administration and Management, General
A bachelor’s degree in business administration and management exposes students to a variety of business disciplines. If you choose to pursue a business administration and management degree, you’ll likely study business law, accounting, finance, human resource management, marketing, sales, statistical analysis, and organizational behavior.
You may be able to select a concentration like marketing, accounting, or finance that aligns with your career goals. Many business administration and management graduates are seen working as account executives, business analysts, project managers, and sales managers.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 1
Educational Affordability: No. 20
Earning Potential: No. 12
Employment Opportunity: No. 17
Spotlight Career: Social and Community Service Managers
- Average Salary, 2017: $70,530
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 15.7%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 15,800
2. Small Business Administration/Management
By majoring in small business administration and management, you can learn how to launch a small business or grow your existing one. Several examples of courses in this type of degree include small business ventures, marketing strategies for small business, and customer relationship management for small business.
These courses can help you create a sustainable business plan, develop market strategies, and run a small business. While this major can prepare you to become a small business owner, it can also help you land a position such as a business consultant, development analyst, or business reporter.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 20
Educational Affordability: No. 4
Earning Potential: No. 8
Employment Opportunity: No. 11
Spotlight Career: Managers, all other
- Average Salary, 2017: $113,180
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 7.6%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 78,700
3.Business/Commerce, General
A bachelor’s degree in business and commerce is ideal for students who are interested in learning about what goes on behind the scenes of a successful business. If you enroll in this degree program, you can gain strong leadership skills as well as a broad understanding of how to operate a nonprofit and for-profit business. Management, marketing, finance, and economics are several examples of the courses you may take. After graduation, you may work as a cost estimator or manage the transportation, distribution, or sales of an organization.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 4
Educational Affordability: No. 14
Earning Potential: No. 12
Employment Opportunity: No. 15
Spotlight Career: Cost Estimators
- Average Salary, 2017: $68,420
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 10.6%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 24,400
4. Marketing/Marketing Management, General
With a four-year degree in marketing, students can build their knowledge on market research, consumer behavior, brand communications, and international marketing. They can learn how to develop strategic marketing plans that are based on strong research and proven sales tactics. This degree can prepare you for a career in the creative, result-oriented marketing field and help you land a position as a marketing manager, market research analyst, advertising sales manager, or social media manager.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 3
Educational Affordability: No. 23
Earning Potential: No. 7
Employment Opportunity: No. 15
Spotlight Career: Advertisting and Promotions Managers
- Average Salary, 2017: $123,880
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 5.8%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 3,400
5. Tourism and Travel Services Management
Tourism and travel services management degrees are intended to teach students how to design travel and tourism plans, solve problems in the travel and hospitality industry, and enhance the guest experience through critical thinking. World geography for tourism and hospitality, food and beverage in the hospitality industry, and destination management organizations are a few examples of the courses you may take if your pursue this business degree. Once you graduate, you can apply to become a hotel or resort manager, catering manager, booking agent, or adventure tour guide.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 24
Educational Affordability: No. 24
Earning Potential: No. 8
Employment Opportunity: No. 11
Spotlight Career: Managers, all other
- Average Salary, 2017: $113,180
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 7.6%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 78,700
6. Finance and Financial Management Services, Other
A finance and financial management services major can prepare students for careers in banking, financial planning and services, corporate financial management, insurance, and real estate. If you enroll in a finance and financial management services degree, you can expect to learn how to evaluate and report on the profitability and financial health of all types of organizations. Following graduation, you may find yourself working at a bank, insurance company, brokerage firm, or real estate company.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 36
Educational Affordability: No. 28
Earning Potential: No. 4
Employment Opportunity: No. 2
Spotlight Career: Financial Managers
- Average Salary, 2017: $143,530
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 18.7%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 56,800
7. Hospitality Administration/Management, Other
Hospitality administration/management gives students a broad-based curriculum that features hospitality specific courses such as hotel and restaurant management, facilities management, and event planning. By majoring in hospitality administration/management, you can gain the skills and knowledge necessary to work as a resort manager, hotel and lodging manager, or food service manager. If you are passionate about serving others and wish to pursue a career at a restaurant, hotel, resort, cruise ship, conference center, or banquet facility, this business major may be right for you.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 32
Educational Affordability: No. 13
Earning Potential: No. 8
Employment Opportunity: No. 11
Spotlight Career: Managers, all other
- Average Salary, 2017: $113,180
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 7.6%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 78,700
8. Accounting and Business/Management
The accounting and business/management major was designed for students who would like to help various organizations manage their finances so they can solve business challenges. Several examples of core courses in this degree program include accounting principles, intermediate accounting, cost accounting, and statistical analysis.
If you major in accounting and business/management, you can aim for a career in management accounting, financial management, budget preparation, finance, or consulting. In addition, you might be prepared to sit for a certification exam to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Financial Manager (CFM) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 16
Educational Affordability: No. 19
Earning Potential: No. 19
Employment Opportunity: No. 3
Spotlight Career: Financial Analysts
- Average Salary, 2017: $99,430
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 10.8%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 29,000
9. Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies
Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit? If so, consider an entrepreneurship/entrepreneurial studies degree. This degree is designed to help students improve their analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills so they can start a small business, expand an existing one, bring an idea to market, or work for a startup. If you select an entrepreneurship/entrepreneurial studies degree, you may take courses such as project management, product development and innovation, and business ethics.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 10
Educational Affordability: No. 26
Earning Potential: No. 3
Employment Opportunity: No. 21
Spotlight Career: General and Operations Managers
- Average Salary, 2017: $123,460
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 9.1%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 210,800
10. Project Management
A project management degree is worthwhile if you like to manage people, workflows, costs, and supplies. In this program, you’ll likely learn how to plan and execute small and large projects from start to finish and take courses such as project teamwork and leadership and project risk management. With an undergraduate project management degree, you may work as a project manager, program manager, or business analyst in healthcare, manufacturing, online services, education, or virtually any other industry.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 36
Educational Affordability: No. 17
Earning Potential: No. 8
Employment Opportunity: No. 11
Spotlight Career: Managers, all other
- Average Salary, 2017: $113,180
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 7.6%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 78,700
11. Management Science
A bachelor’s degree in management science explores a variety of strategic and logistical problems and teaches students how to help organizations save time, money, and resources. It involves courses such as statistical thinking and probability, scientific computing, and technical entrepreneurship. If you would like to work in management consulting, logistics, transportation, or manufacturing, you may benefit from a four-year management science degree. Most management science graduates work as operation research analysts, strategy managers, operation managers, or modeler analysts.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 21
Educational Affordability: No. 39
Earning Potential: No. 5
Employment Opportunity: No. 4
Spotlight Career: Operations Research Analysts
- Average Salary, 2017: $86,510
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 27.4%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 10,700
12. Construction Management
Undergraduate construction management degree programs focus on the business knowledge and management skills required for the ever-evolving construction industry. If you enroll in a construction management bachelor’s degree, you may become well-versed in construction ethics, estimating, and contracts.
A few examples of courses you can expect to take include construction estimating, OSHA standards, and construction documents. After graduation, you may enjoy a management career in the construction industry and work as a construction manager, project manager, or property manager.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 17
Educational Affordability: No. 8
Earning Potential: No. 23
Employment Opportunity: No. 19
Spotlight Career: Construction Managers
- Average Salary, 2017: $101,000
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 11.4%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 33,400
13. Finance, General
Students who are interested in working in corporate financial management may find value in a bachelor’s degree in finance. If you decide to pursue this degree, you’ll be able to use quantitative, qualitative, and problem-solving skills to achieve the financial objections of organizations.
You may land a position as a financial analyst, investment banker, loan officer, management consultant, or securities analyst. Undergraduate finance majors typically take courses such as accounting, financial markets, international finance, and financial statement analysis.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 5
Educational Affordability: No. 32
Earning Potential: No. 14
Employment Opportunity: No. 16
Spotlight Career: Personal Financial Advisors
- Average Salary, 2017: $124,140
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 14.4%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 25,400
14. International Business/Trade/Commerce
A international business/trade/commerce bachelor’s degree can help students understand how to sell to diverse markets and gain a deep knowledge of international trade and environment regulations. In addition, it can give them the opportunity to explore a variety of specific issues related to doing business in a globalized world. If you’re interested in a career as a import-export agent or international business analyst, this degree may help you meet your professional goals.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 8
Educational Affordability: No. 40
Earning Potential: No. 1
Employment Opportunity: No. 21
Spotlight Career: General and Operations Managers
- Average Salary, 2017: $123,460
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 9.1%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 210,800
15. Marketing, Other
Four-year marketing degrees are designed for students who hope to pursue a career that pairs creativity with analytical thinking. Upon completion of a bachelor’s degree in marketing, you’ll have the skills and knowledge necessary to land a marketing position at an advertising or marketing agency or an in-house marketing department. You can focus in digital marketing, public relations, social media, lead generation, brand management, or promotions.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 25
Educational Affordability: No. 30
Earning Potential: No. 2
Employment Opportunity: No. 30
Spotlight Career: Marketing Managers
- Average Salary, 2017: $145,620
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 10%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 21,300
16. International Marketing
Advertising and selling a company’s product or service on a global scale is known as international marketing. By pursuing a bachelor’s degree in international marketing, you can learn how to market to different countries and coordinate a company’s products or services for a multicultural audience.
Common courses in this degree program include global marketing strategies, evaluation of global markets, and international distribution and pricing. With an international marketing degree, you can work as an international marketing manager or international brand manager.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 43
Educational Affordability: No. 29
Earning Potential: No. 17
Employment Opportunity: No. 4
Spotlight Career: Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Average Salary, 2017: $71,450
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 22.8%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 76,700
17. Operations Management and Supervision
The main goal of an undergraduate degree in operation management and supervision is to prepare students to evaluate an organization’s objectives, review their internal and external environments, and design effective management tactics to achieve the organization’s goals.
Business process improvement, logistics management, and management decision models are some of the typical courses in operation management and supervision degree programs. If you complete this degree, you may be well prepared to work as an operations manager, logistics manager, supply chain manager, purchasing manager, or production manager.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 12
Educational Affordability: No. 11
Earning Potential: No. 16
Employment Opportunity: No. 35
Spotlight Career: Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Average Salary, 2017: $149,730
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 11.9%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 32,500
18. Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management
Logistics and material management are important components of supply chain management or the movement of products from one location to another. Students who pursue a bachelor’s degree in logistics, materials, and supply chain management will learn how to understand customer needs and maintain relationships with suppliers and customers.
If you enroll in this degree, you’ll likely take courses such as procurement and supply management, manufacturing planning and control, and logistics management. After graduation, you may work as an industrial production manager, storage and distribution manager, or transportation manager.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 11
Educational Affordability: No. 7
Earning Potential: No. 15
Employment Opportunity: No. 42
Spotlight Career: Industrial Production Managers
- Average Salary, 2017: $110,580
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: -0.2%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 11,700
19. Taxation
A bachelor’s degree in taxation focuses on financial accounting as well as individual and corporate taxation requirements. If you enroll in four-year taxation degree, you’ll develop comprehensive knowledge on tax law, tax accounting, and tax procedure. Core courses such as business taxation, federal income taxation, and financial statement analysis are usually taken in this type of degree program. Once you graduate with a bachelor’s in taxation, you may work as a tax examiner, tax collector, or revenue agent.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 45
Educational Affordability: No. 1
Earning Potential: No. 36
Employment Opportunity: No. 29
Spotlight Career: Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents
- Average Salary, 2017: $59,140
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: -0.6%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 4,200
20. Auditing
Although a four-year degree in auditing mainly focuses on auditing, it also covers related topics such as taxation, economics, financial reporting, and strategic management. The most common courses taught in this type of degree are auditing, federal income tax, and quantitative methods and analysis.
This degree may be a good choice if you hope to work as a financial examiner and identify and monitor accounting irregularities, while ensuring that banks and financial institutions are complying with laws and regulations.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 43
Educational Affordability: No. 15
Earning Potential: No. 33
Employment Opportunity: No. 8
Spotlight Career: Financial Examiners
- Average Salary, 2017: $91,780
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 9.8%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 9.8%
21. Accounting
From basic accounts payable and receivable to complex tax codes, accounting majors study all aspects of financial accounting. If you pursue an undergraduate degree in accounting, you’ll likely be required to take courses such as intermediate accounting, accounting information systems, and auditing assurance services.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, you can enter the workforce immediately as an accountant or auditor or earn a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 2
Educational Affordability: No. 25
Earning Potential: No. 34
Employment Opportunity: No. 34
Spotlight Career: Accountants and Auditors
- Average Salary, 2017: $77,920
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 10%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 141,800
22. Investments and Securities
Topics such as financial policy, financial reporting, hedge funds, and investment planning are all covered in bachelor’s degrees in investments and securities. If you’re seeking a fast paced career and are interested in the financial market, consider a four-year investments and securities degree.
Most students who earn this type of degree work as strategy investment managers, investment consultants, or financial service sales agents. Some choose to pursue a designation such as the Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to advance their careers.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 2
Educational Affordability: No. 25
Earning Potential: No. 25
Employment Opportunity: No. 28
Spotlight Career: Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
- Average Salary, 2017:$97,440
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26:6.1%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26:38,000
23. Marketing Research
Marketing research is an important aspect of marketing that involves studying consumer habits. If you opt for a bachelor’s degree in marketing research, you’ll learn how to create and conduct surveys, research buying trends, and evaluate competitors. You can expect to take courses such as qualitative research, quantitative research, and research reporting. By studying marketing research, you can develop the skills necessary to work as a market research analyst or marketing specialist and help organizations make informed business decisions.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 42
Educational Affordability: No. 42
Earning Potential: No. 17
Employment Opportunity: No. 4
Spotlight Career: Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Average Salary, 2017: $71,450
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 22.8%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 76,700
24. Purchasing, Procurement/Acquisitions and Contracts Management
Bachelor’s degrees in purchasing, procurement/acquisitions, and contracts management can prepare students to oversee the design and implementation of business contracts and closely examine their efficiency.
Contract and procurement laws, negotiating contracts and purchases and federal acquisitions and strategic purchasing are all examples of courses in these programs. After graduating with this degree, you’ll learn how to execute all aspects of the contract management process and may land a position as a purchasing managers or administrative services manager.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 35
Educational Affordability: No. 10
Earning Potential: No. 21
Employment Opportunity: No. 39
Spotlight Career: Administrative Services Managers
- Average Salary, 2017: $103,380
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 10.1%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 26,200
25. Organizational Leadership
Organizational leadership helps influence organizations and manage change in rapidly changing work environments. By pursuing an organizational leadership degree, you can gain a thorough understanding of the leadership practices that lead to successful organizations.
This business degree consists of courses such as organizational change, group dynamics and facilitation, and evidence-based decision making. Once you complete an organizational leadership program, you can work in employee training and development, business consulting, human resource management, strategic planning, corporate communications or project management.
Category Scores
Educational Availability: No. 14
Educational Affordability: No. 38
Earning Potential: No. 28
Employment Opportunity: No. 1
Spotlight Career: Management Analysts
- Average Salary, 2017: $93,440
- Projected Growth Rate, 2016-26: 12%
- Average Annual Job Openings, 2016-26: 81,300
Best Business Majors 2016
| Business Majors | 2016 Rankings |
|---|---|
| Business Administration | 1 |
| Entrepreneurship | 2 |
| Retail Management | 3 |
| Marketing | 4 |
| Finance | 5 |
| Operations Management | 6 |
| International Business | 7 |
| Sales Operations | 8 |
| Accounting | 9 |
| Small Business Administration | 10 |
| Management Science | 11 |
| Office Management | 12 |
| Management Information Systems | 13 |
| Human Resources Management | 14 |
| Logistics & Supply Chain Management | 15 |
| Project Management | 16 |
| Credit Management | 17 |
| Agribusiness | 18 |
| Real Estate | 19 |
| Special Products Marketing Operations | 20 |
| Organizational Leadership | 21 |
| Secretarial Science | 22 |
| Fashion Merchandising | 23 |
| Accounting Technology & Bookkeeping | 24 |
| Construction Management | 25 |
Methodology
We ranked 46 majors covering different subjects within the business field. To be included in the rankings:
- The major had to be either classified by the National Center for Education Statistics as part of the Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services instructional category, or it had to have a distinct business or management connection in its official definition.
- The major had to be offered by at least 5 institutions at the associate or bachelor’s level
- All majors we ranked had at least 1 program offered nationally and at least 1 degree was awarded in the subject, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
We scored each major on four categories of data using a 25-point scale and then added the scores from all categories, for a total of 100 points possible:
- Educational Availability, based on the number of schools offering the programs at the associate’s and bachelor’s level, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, 2016-17
- Educational Affordability, based on in-state undergraduate tuition and fees data from the National Center for Education Statistics, 2016-17
- Earnings Potential, based on average annual salaries from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017
- Employment Opportunity, based on employment projections for growth rate and job openings from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016-26
