Thinking of earning a degree? You may have seen “business administration” listed as a possible major. But what exactly does business administration mean?
According to Mona Stephensassociate dean of accounting and business analytics at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), business administration refers to the management of business operations and decision-making processes to achieve organizational goals. “It involves overseeing various functions such as marketing, finance, human resources and operations,” she said.
Stephens has worked in business for more than 25 years and taught for another two decades. She said professionals in this field work to ensure that businesses and organizations are run effectively, efficiently and profitably. It’s a balancing act that requires knowledge and skills in a variety of disciplines.
What does Business Administration cover?
According to Dr. Enrique Barreiro, MBAsenior associate dean of business at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), business administration includes:
- Analyzing data to make informed decisions
- Communicating effectively
- Coordination of resources and finances
- Leading and managing teams
- Strategizing and planning for future success
A good bachelor’s in business administration program will help you gain skills in all of these areas.
Barreiro has held a variety of roles within business administration in both the health and wellness industry and higher education, and notes that working in business administration requires quantitative skills and “soft skills” such as brainstorming, leadership of others, strategic thinking and producing creative solutions to problems.
Business professionals generally need at least a basic understanding of accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, and information technology, and they often specialize in one practice area. People who are successful in business must also be effective communicators. Business administration very often calls for working in teams and collaborative projects.
“Clear communication with your team is essential to ensure everyone is on the same page and working toward the same goal,” Barreiro said.
Handling the workload is only part of the challenge: being a team member your peers and supervisors can rely on is an essential part of business success.
Business Administration Concentrations
If you’re looking for a more specialized business education, SNHU’s bachelor’s degree in business administration offers a total of 16 concentrations to choose from, including:
- accounting
- Business analytics
- Customer experience
- marketing
- Project management
If you already have a bachelor’s degree and are considering an advanced degree, SNHU’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) also offers a number of concentrations to choose from, such as
- Health care management
- Information technology management
- International business
- Music business
- Sustainability and environmental compatibility
Explore types of MBA degrees.
Is a business administration degree worth it?
In the United States, business degrees—such as a bachelor’s in business administration—are one of the most popular types of degree programs for students. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that of the 2 million bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2021–22, business degrees were the most popular category, accounting for 375,400 degrees.
Morgan Crandall ’22 earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration online. Both the course content and the communication she engaged in throughout her degree program have proven beneficial to her career path.
“The value I got from the class was incredible, but the level of communication I had with my advisor and all my professors was something that I carry into the workforce today,” Crandall said.
The rise of remote work in recent years has greatly changed the way we all communicate, but Crandall felt prepared. “(At) my company, a lot of our communications are over Zoom and phone calls … to have the kind of heightened sense of communication with everyone that I learned at SNHU has been very valuable,” she said.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration can provide you with many benefits and provides the skills and knowledge to position yourself well in the job market. Indeed ranks business administration in the top five on its list of in-demand college degrees.
What jobs can you get with a business administration degree?
A solid foundation in business practices coupled with relevant experience can make you an asset to almost any type of company or organization. Whether you prefer liaising with customers, solving problems or crunching numbers, a business job is likely to suit you.
If you’re a “people person,” you might be interested in pursuing human resources. If you love competition, a sales role could be a good choice. If you enjoy solving difficult problems and creating strategies, you may be interested in becoming a business analyst or consultant. If you are a math major, you can explore possible paths in accounting or data analytics.
“This degree (can open) career doors in almost any industry, offering flexibility and growth potential,” Stephens said.
According to Stephens and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some business occupations include:
Business analyst
A degree in business administration can prepare you for a career working with data and statistics to make recommendations as a business analyst, Stephens said.
According to the BLS, management analysts earned a median salary of $99,410 in 2023 with 11% projected growth through 2033.*
Financial analyst
Financial analysts help businesses and individuals make decisions about spending money to help them earn profits by studying the performance of stocks, bonds, and other investments, the BLS reports.
According to the BLS, financial analysts earned a median salary of $99,890 in 2023 with an expected job growth of 9% between 2023 and 2033.*
Human Resources Specialist
Human resources specialists find, screen and interview job applicants. They inform applicants of employee benefits and place newly hired workers on the job, the BLS said.
The BLS reported that HR specialists had a median salary of $67,650 in 2023 with a projected job growth of 8% between 2023 and 2033.*
Market Research Analyst
Market research analysts assess consumer preferences to help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them and what they are willing to pay, the BLS said.
In 2023, market research analysts earned a median salary of $74,680 with projected job growth of 8% between 2023 and 2033, the BLS said.*
Operations Manager
According to Stephens, a business administration degree can also prepare you to work as an operations manager, running the day-to-day operations of a business or organization.
The BLS reports that operations managers earned a median annual salary of $101,280 in 2023.*
Read more about what you can do with a business administration degree.
What is the Job Outlook for Business Administration?
You can imagine business professionals working mostly in small, medium and large for-profit companies. However, almost every type of organization needs professionals who can effectively manage business practices and resources.
Business administration professionals can work in many different fields and settings including businesses, nonprofit organizations, and in the health care fields. You can also explore business and management positions in sports, entertainment, hospitality, construction or a variety of other industries.
And according to BLS data, some of the fastest-growing occupations are business-related.* For example:
- Health care administration: BLS predicts 29% growth by 2033*
- Operations Research: BLS predicts 23% growth by 2033*
- Supply chain management: BLS projects 19% growth through 2033*
Crandall noted that her BS in Business Administration helped her before completing her program. She was easily able to take what she was learning in her course and apply it to her work.
“I’m working at a consulting firm and I feel like I can already see all the ways my degree has been useful,” she said.
All of these possibilities mean that you can potentially use business administration as a path to work in almost any arena, and even find a way to turn a passion into a career. Whether you’re looking to advance into a leadership role or make a complete career change or are dreaming of one day starting your own business, a degree in business administration is a versatile and flexible choice that can serve you well .
*Job growth projections quoted may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or labor conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors, including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location and employee skills.
Alexa Gustavsen ’21 is a content facilitator and writer at Southern New Hampshire University. Based in New Hampshire, she completed her BA in Creative Writing and English at the NH campus. Currently, she is pursuing her master’s degree in online marketing at the university. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
