11 Types of Business Degrees and Career Pathways

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts the creation of 6.7 million new jobs in the U.S. by 2033. However, while job opportunities are growing, so is the competition to seize them. According to Forbes, “Job requisitions grew by a modest 7%” in 2024, but “applications skyrocketed by 31%, intensifying competition among job seekers.”

In such a competitive market, choosing a degree that aligns with your interests and positions you for career growth in your desired role or industry is crucial. That’s why we developed this guide, which compares 11 types of business degrees to help you make the right decision. It covers key topics like:

• What types of courses you can expect to study
• How long do different degrees typically take to complete
• Projected job growth and median salary data

Key Findings: Types of Business Degrees and Career Pathways

• Multiple Education Levels: Business degrees are available at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, each offering different time commitments, career opportunities, and salary potential.
• Broad vs. Specialized Options: Students can pursue generalist paths, such as business administration, or specialize in areas such as finance, marketing, accounting, healthcare management, or supply chain management.
• Strong Career Outlook: Fields like supply chain management (19% growth), data-driven marketing, and healthcare administration are expanding faster than average, offering strong job security and earning potential.
• High-Earning Careers: Business graduates often qualify for lucrative positions such as marketing manager ($156,580 median), HR manager ($136,350), and financial manager ($161,000+).
• Future-Focused Skills: Business programs increasingly emphasize technology, analytics, and innovation, equipping graduates to adapt to trends like AI, global business shifts, and sustainability.

What is a Business Degree? 

A business degree focuses on topics such as finance, marketing, accounting, economics, entrepreneurship, organizational leadership, and managing teams of employees. While it’s possible to major in business generally, many related majors, such as business administration or international business, offer a more specialized focus.

Depending on the program, a business degree can be offered as an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree. In the next section of this guide, we’ll compare the differences.

What Careers Can You Pursue With a Business Degree?

A business degree opens doors across nearly every sector of the economy. Graduates go on to work in roles such as financial analyst, marketing manager, human resources director, operations manager, supply chain specialist, entrepreneur, and executive leader. Because business principles apply universally—from healthcare organizations to tech startups to government agencies—the career paths available to business graduates are exceptionally broad. The specific roles you qualify for will depend largely on your chosen specialization and the level of degree you earn, which is why understanding the full range of business programs is such an important first step.

Different Levels of Business Degrees

With some uncommon exceptions like post-baccalaureate programs, most college degrees, including business programs, fall into one of these four categories:

1. Associate degrees
2. Bachelor’s degrees
3. Master’s degrees
4. Doctorate degrees

Associate’s degrees are the fastest to complete, while doctorate programs are the most advanced and intensive. Doctoral degrees demand the greatest time investment, but are also correlated with higher average earnings.

The right option for you depends on your goals and educational background, but no matter which degree you’re pursuing, you’ll find plenty of business-related majors to explore at every level. Whichever level of education you pursue, you will be building and learning valuable skills such as communication and critical thinking.

Associate Degrees

Students can typically complete associate degree programs in just one to two years. These programs teach fundamental, industry-critical skills, quickly preparing students to start entry-level roles in a specific field or profession.

For example, National University offers the Associate of Science in Business, which features courses on micro- and macroeconomics, financial and managerial accounting, key legal aspects of business, and marketing fundamentals. Other common associate degrees include the Associate of Business Administration (ABA) and associate degrees in marketing and nonprofit management.

Bachelor’s Degrees

A bachelor’s degree is the most common entry-level degree for business professionals.

Bachelor’s degree programs typically take four to five years to complete. However, some universities offer accelerated options for qualified students, allowing them to graduate more quickly without compromising the quality or depth of the curriculum.

Most bachelor’s degrees fall into one of two categories: Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS). Undergraduate business degrees are often classified as BS degrees because they emphasize subjects like economics, accounting, analytics, and finance. However, some degrees, such as the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), do not fit into either category.

Master’s Degrees

A master’s degree is an advanced credential that typically takes one to two years to complete. Earning this degree can significantly enhance your career prospects, as many employers prefer or even require candidates with this level of education. The Master of Business Administration (MBA), one of the most in-demand graduate degrees, is a perfect example of a popular master’s degree in business.

While not strictly necessary, it’s advantageous to hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field or subject, since you’ll already be prepared with relevant knowledge of fundamentals. However, even if your undergraduate degree is unrelated to business, you can still enroll in a master’s program if you meet the application criteria.

Doctorate Degrees

A doctorate or doctoral degree is considered a terminal degree, which means it’s the highest level of education a student can attain in that field.

While doctorate programs can take anywhere from three to eight years to complete, it’s more typical for students to graduate within four to six years. National University offers fast-paced doctoral programs, like the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), which can be completed in as little as 34 months.

Doctoral programs are designed to prepare students for research, academic, or executive leadership roles. To graduate, students must propose, prepare, and defend a dissertation, which generally involves creating a long-form written report on original scholarly research.

11 Key Business Specializations

Now that we’ve gone over some basics like levels of college degrees, let’s examine 11 types of business majors to consider in 2026:

• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Global and International Business
• Healthcare Management
• Human Resources (HR)
• Marketing
• Nonprofit Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Technology Management

1. Business Administration Degree

Business administration is a broad, versatile degree that educates students on various aspects of managing and operating a company. Depending on the program, topics covered typically include business finance, production and operations management, marketing fundamentals, and business law and ethics.

Here are a few examples of business administration programs that students can explore online or on-campus at National University:

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Learn more about the difference between a BBA degree vs. BS in Business Administration.

2. Finance Degree

Finance degrees generally focus on subjects such as financial planning, investment banking, and corporate finance. For example, BBA students specializing in finance at National University typically complete courses on risk management, financial institutions, working capital management, and international financial management.

Students who are interested in pursuing careers in finance may wish to explore the following programs at National University:

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a Specialization in Finance
• Bachelor of Science in Financial Management

3. Marketing Degree

Marketing programs prepare students with skills for developing, promoting, and growing successful brands. They cover traditional and digital marketing methods, focusing on global marketing, mobile marketing, market research, consumer behavior, behavioral targeting, marketing automation, and data analytics.

Marketing roles can open doorways to high-earning potential. For example, marketing managers earn a median salary of $156,580, while market research analysts and specialists earn roughly $83,200.

Whether you’re pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree, you’ll find marketing programs to fit your goals at National University, including:

• Bachelor of Science in Marketing
• Master of Science in Marketing

4. Accounting Degree

An accounting program will train you in skills like financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and business auditing. Examples of typical courses include business finance, individual and business taxation, accounting ethics, and data analytics.

National University offers graduate and undergraduate programs in accounting to meet you at every stage of your career, including:

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BSAcc)
• Master of Accounting (MAcc)

At a rate of 6%, this field is growing “faster than average” (4%), according to BLS data. Accountants earn a median salary of almost $80,000 per year.

5. Entrepreneurship Degree

An entrepreneurship program may be ideal if your goal is to start or manage a business. These programs prepare students with the skills and competencies to launch and operate a brand, typically centering on courses like business finance, production and operations management, small and family business management, e-business, marketing, and venture formation.

Entrepreneurship programs at National University include:

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a Specialization in Entrepreneurship
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Entrepreneurship

6. Human Resources (HR) Degree

A human resources degree generally teaches skills and covers coursework related to employee management, organizational behavior, and labor law compliance.

According to the BLS, HR specialists earn a median salary of $67,650, while HR managers earn more than twice that amount, with a median pay of $136,350. Both fields are growing faster than average, with a forecasted 6% growth rate for HR managers and an 8% rate for HR specialists.

Position yourself for a career in human resources with an HR degree from National University. Popular programs include:

• Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management (BSHRM)
• Master of Arts in Human Resource Management (MAHRM)

7. International Business Degree

International business programs prepare students with the essential skills and competencies needed for global brand management and respectful cross-cultural communication. Students in these programs typically study topics such as comparative international management, global marketing, and global leadership.

Advance your career in international business with an online degree from National University, which offers programs such as:

• MBA with a Specialization in Global Business Management
• Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration (PhD-BA) in Global Business Management

8. Supply Chain Management Degree

Degrees in supply chain management strongly emphasize coursework involving logistics, procurement, and business operations management. For example, National University’s BS in Supply Chain Management includes courses on inventory management, omnichannel distribution, global logistics, and network modeling.

Logisticians, whose main role is to “analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain,” earn median salaries of $79,400. Additionally, experts project the field to grow at an astounding rate, with a 19% job growth forecast through 2033 compared to the 4% national average.

There are various degree programs and specializations for students who want to focus their careers on supply chain management. Some of National University’s offerings include:

• Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• BBA with a Specialization in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• MBA with a Specialization in Supply Chain Management

9. Healthcare Management Degree

A healthcare management degree applies business principles, such as digital marketing strategies and effective team leadership, to the medical and healthcare industry. Students in healthcare management programs typically complete coursework that covers health informatics and economics, global health systems, organizational behavior, human resources management, and ethical issues in healthcare.

Equip yourself with the advanced skills needed for leadership roles in medicine with a healthcare management degree from National University. Programs we currently offer include:

• Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration (BSHA)
• Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)

10. Technology Management Degree

Technology management programs may include coursework on principles of IT and project management, finance and planning in technology, and technical communication. Deepen your knowledge and build on your undergraduate studies with an advanced degree in technology management from National University, which offers online programs including:

• Master of Science in Technology Management (MSTM)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Technology Management (PhD-TM)

11. Nonprofit Management Degree

Students who pursue nonprofit business management degrees learn crucial skills for operating and maintaining 501(c)(3) and other nonprofit organizations, from writing proposals and fundraising to developing and implementing community-based social programs.

Develop your skills in a nonprofit management program at National University, which offers courses and certificates such as:

• Certificate in Nonprofit Management
• Introduction to Nonprofit Management (ACE Credit)

Business Degrees With the Highest Earning Potential

If salary is a key factor in your decision, it helps to look at the earning potential tied to specific business specializations. Among the fields covered in this guide, finance and marketing management roles consistently rank among the highest-paying for business graduates. Financial managers earn a median salary exceeding $161,000, while marketing managers earn a median of $156,580, and HR managers earn around $136,350. At the graduate level, an MBA or specialized master’s degree can further accelerate your earning trajectory by qualifying you for senior leadership and executive roles. As you compare programs, consider not just starting salaries but the long-term earning arc your chosen specialization makes possible.

Business Specializations With the Fastest Job Growth

Earning potential matters, but so does the opportunity to find work in the first place. Supply chain management stands out as one of the fastest-growing specializations, with a projected job growth rate of 19% through 2033, far outpacing the 4% national average. Human resources, accounting, and healthcare administration are also growing faster than average, driven by demand across industries including technology, government, and healthcare. If long-term job security is a priority, choosing a specialization in a high-growth field can give your career a strong and stable foundation.

How to choose the right business degree for you

With so many business and marketing degrees to choose from, it’s important to evaluate your goals and interests before you start applying to programs. Here are a few factors to think about when comparing potential degrees or majors:

• Your personal interests and aptitudes. Consider your skills and strengths, what subjects you’re most passionate about, and your personality traits. For instance, strong analytical skills are essential for accounting, while marketing programs offer more opportunities to exercise creativity.
• What career goals you would like to reach. Strive to align your choice of degree with your short-term and long-term career objectives.
• Industry demand and expected job growth. Consider entering an industry where there’s high demand for specific business degrees, such as the financial and tech sectors. Other rapidly growing U.S. industries include real estate, healthcare, construction, and retail.

The Future of Business Degrees

Between the rise of AI, the growing power of analytics, and geopolitical shifts that impact the world economy, students need programs that emphasize cutting-edge tech and future-proof skills. With intensive four-week courses led by experienced instructors, business degrees at National University are designed to prepare students for a swiftly evolving global market. Students can explore new and emerging degree paths like e-commerce, sustainability management, and business analytics, developing valuable expertise while building professional networks.

Is a Business Degree Worth It?

For most working adults, the answer is yes, though the value depends on your goals, your chosen field, and the level of degree you pursue. Business degrees are among the most versatile credentials available, applicable across virtually every industry and organizational size. They equip graduates with skills that employers consistently rank as high priority: communication, critical thinking, financial literacy, data analysis, and leadership.

Beyond the skills themselves, a business degree can directly affect your earning trajectory. Higher degree levels correlate with higher median earnings, and specialized credentials, like an MBA or a master’s in marketing or finance, can qualify you for roles that would otherwise require years of additional experience to reach. For career changers, returning students, and working professionals looking to advance, a business degree from an accredited institution provides both the knowledge and the credential needed to compete in today’s job market.

Explore Online Business and Marketing Degrees at National University 

Whether your career goal is to start your own company, hone your digital marketing skills, consult with Fortune 500 companies, or become an investment banker, National University offers flexible, fast-paced business programs both online and on campus. Contact admissions to request detailed program information, or start your application to National University today.