In the 1920s, President Calvin Coolidge famously said, “[The] business of America is business.” He was, of course, right, but he also lived in an era in which you could be successful in business with simple hard work. That’s not the case today. Success in business now requires a set of skills honed in an academic setting, which is where a bachelor’s in business plays a vital role.
What Is a Bachelor’s in Business?
Entry-level business positions in the 21st century require a broad knowledge base in a variety of business topics and principles. A bachelor’s in business will acquaint you with those subjects, and you’ll gain the skills necessary to succeed. Business and industry employers prefer employees who have the knowledge and training gained with a degree in business, so pursuing that baccalaureate education is a no-brainer.
How Much Can You Earn With a Bachelor’s in Business?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth for bachelor’s-prepared business employees to see an increase of between six and nine percent, which is a growth rate as fast or faster than the national average. Depending on your profession, that range may vary.
As with job growth, salary expectations are going to be tied to your position, where you work, and where you live. In general, however, salaries can range from $65,000-$83,000 a year. Compensation and sign-on bonuses should also be considered. You should calculate benefits, too, such as 401k employer matching programs, paid time off, and healthcare insurance (which can cost anywhere from $200 to $400 monthly) or child care (costing on average $3,500-$18,000 a year).
What Is Required for a Bachelor’s in Business?
Admission to the majority of business programs will require a high school diploma or GED, GRE/SAT test scores, academic transcripts, and admission application fees. Some schools also request you submit a personal essay as part of the admission package.
During your four-year degree program, you’ll take general education courses in subjects such as history, English, math, physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Topics in accounting, finance, micro- and macro-economics, marketing, leadership, management, and global business are often included in most online Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Business programs. Some programs offer internships in real-world settings and even study abroad programs to experience international business.
What Are the Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Degrees?
OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program-specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program-specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.
The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.