Business is among the most popular majors in the U.S., according to the National Center for Educational Statistics, comprising nearly 1 in 5 bachelor's degrees. Business majors explore fundamental business principles and practices that enable companies to run efficiently. Students pursuing a business major often study multidisciplinary concepts so they can develop strong communication, leadership, and analytical skills.
When considering a major in business, research different programs and how they align with your goals. Below is a sampling of options:
Business Intelligence prepares students for analyst positions. The degree combines management, marketing, technology, and data analytics. No computer programming is required; rather, you will develop skills enabling you to manage and interpret large amounts of data and, most importantly, use data to make management decisions. Some skills you will learn are data collection, integration, analysis, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
Business Management & Administration There is a subtle difference between administration and general management. Business administration is concerned with the detailed operations of running a business, while business management is about overall leadership and seeing the bigger economic picture. A business management degree focuses on planning and organizing the activities of a business or organization in order to achieve its goals and objectives. In contrast, a degree in business administration provides a broad background and allows the student to focus on a specialized area of business. Both business management and administration degrees typically include the same core subjects, including marketing, accounting, economics, and finance. These subjects give students a background in how businesses work, from how products are sourced and manufactured to how they are marketed and sold, and finally, how the money is managed and used to grow the business.
A student of business management will generally then go on to take additional courses in related areas that may include communications, logistics, decision-making, information systems, and human resources.
Often, a business administration student will specialize in a specific area such as marketing, accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, healthcare management, international business, or operations management.
Applied Economics/Economics prepares students to pursue careers that use data and economic principles to address real world problems such as food production, trade, environmental, and sustainability issues. Students learn to weigh competing pieces of evidence critically, make sound decisions, and communicate their findings to various audiences. Economics is a significant theoretical model of how societies function. Applied economics is the implementation of that model broadly and in a myriad of specific circumstances.
Accounting majors learn how to create, maintain, and audit a detailed and accurate system that displays the finances of a business or organization. They study the theory behind accounting and learn how to analyze the financial position of a firm or organization.
Accounting majors often work to become certified public accountants (CPAs) and provide expertise in business finance for a wide variety of industries. Many programs allow you to select an area of specialization, which can help you if you know what career you want to pursue after you graduate. Bachelor's degree programs in accounting can help you develop financial problem-solving and decision-making skills.