by our College Data Analytics TeamThe business world fuels our economy. The flow of markets and different industries has created technological innovations that allow us to live certain lifestyles. Where would you be without energy that heats your home, a smartphone that allows you to be connect, and a car to get you to your favorite restaurant? Business, whether giant corporations or local stores, allow you the lifestyle you enjoy. Picking a major in the field of Business, Management and Marketing will allow you to study all aspects of the business world in order to engage in it yourself.
A major in the business field will teach students about the process of to buying, selling, producing and marketing goods. In addition you will learn how to manage others and promote products and services. Students will learn the techniques and principles of business for the workplace.
There are many different majors within this field. Students who are more interested in math and finance might consider a major in Accounting, while those who love interacting with people should consider a major in General Sales & Marketing or Hospitality Management. There are many more options to those interested in the Business field. Most of these majors are offered as a Bachelor degree, however some might be available as an Associate degree in some colleges.
In 2020-2021, business, management and marketing was the 1st most popular major nationwide with 862,104 degrees awarded. This represents a 2.4% increase in business, management and marketing degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 841,037.
Our 2023 Best Business, Management & Marketing Schools ranking analyzes 1689 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for business, management and marketing students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of business, management and marketing programs later in this article.
In order to be successful in Business there are different skills that are needed. Efficient communicators are required in order to build relationships with clients and co-workers. Whether written or oral, communication is key skill for any business major.
People who are problem solvers and creative thinkers also do well in this field. You should also work on your time management and organizational skills in order to finish all projects on time and graduate with a good GPA.
In some programs, internships are required in order to gain experience. In addition, students will benefit from work experience in retail, customer service or any other job that requires interaction with people. There is opportunity to gain a Master in some programs, if you decide to further your education.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional business, management and marketing certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of business, management and marketing degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in business, management and marketing to something that takes less time like a . Business, Management & Marketing programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to business, management and marketing, with approximately 39.2% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to business, management and marketing tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 37.3% |
| High School Diploma | 20.3% |
| Some College Courses | 9.7% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 9.7% |
| Master’s Degree | 8.9% |
56.4% of business, management and marketing workers have at least a bachelor's. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in business, management and marketing careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the business, management and marketing career you are seeking.
There are many different opportunities for graduates with business degrees. The industries you can enter into are almost limitless. Some examples are fashion, food, military industry, education, hotels, manufacturers, and more.
Some of the career fields graduates enter into are Human Resource Manager, Sales Worker Supervisor, Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations Manager, Credited Public Accountant, and Economist. The need for many of these positions is increasing. Students have good opportunities to find work after graduating. Internships and work experience will make you more even more hirable.
Want a job when you graduate with your business, management and marketing degree? Business, Management & Marketing careers are expected to grow 4.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to business, management and marketing.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Office Clerks | 3,086,000 | -1.0% |
| Customer Service Representatives | 2,920,800 | 4.9% |
| General and Operations Managers | 2,468,300 | 9.1% |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 2,371,300 | -6.5% |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | 1,705,300 | -1.5% |
Business, Management & Marketing graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $47,901 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $8,269 to as high as $189,905. As you might expect, salaries for business, management and marketing graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for business, management and marketing graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers business, management and marketing grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Chief Executives | $200,140 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $152,860 |
| Marketing Managers | $147,240 |
| Financial Managers | $146,830 |
| Sales Managers | $140,320 |
With over 32,087 different business, management and marketing degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased business, management and marketing school rankings to help you with this.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration & Management | 416,590 |
| Accounting | 99,265 |
| Finance & Financial Management | 57,778 |
| General Business/Commerce | 56,042 |
| Marketing | 52,916 |
Image Credit: By Amit Savargaonkar under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
