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.
A degree in Business, Management & Marketing explores Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services. Instructional Programs That Prepare Individuals To Perform Managerial, Technical Support, And Applied Research Functions Related To The Operation Of Commercial And Non-Profit Enterprises And The Buying And Selling Of Goods And Services. Continue reading for the key facts every business, management & marketing student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering business, management & marketing programs.
Nationwide, business, management & marketing is a popular field of study, with 840,037 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Business, Management & Marketing Schools ranking analyzes these 2,901 schools to determine the best overall colleges for business, management & marketing students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of business, management & marketing programs later in this article.
Coursework for Business, Management & Marketing develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations business, management & marketing graduates commonly enter.
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.
Skills developed in a business, management & marketing program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a business, management & marketing major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several business, management & marketing degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 18,440 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 104,171 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 386,261 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 318,391 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4,514 |
People currently working in careers related to business, management & marketing tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 40.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 16.6% |
| Master’s degree | 11.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 9.0% |
| Some college courses | 8.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 4.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in business, management & marketing careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
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.
Majoring in business, management & marketing prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to business, management & marketing.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to business, management & marketing.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo and Freight Agents | 2,161,434 | 8.2% |
| Customer Service Representatives | 2,156,323 | 9.4% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 1,904,234 | -0.4% |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 1,827,394 | -3.9% |
| Freight Forwarders | 1,509,563 | 0.3% |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | 1,332,640 | 6.0% |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,328,652 | -4.2% |
| Order Clerks | 1,247,994 | -0.5% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of business, management & marketing graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $59,795 |
| 4 years | $62,861 |
| 5 years | $71,005 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for business, management & marketing graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers business, management & marketing grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Geothermal Production Managers | $160,381 |
| Chief Executives | $138,534 |
| Security Management Specialists | $128,654 |
| Financial Risk Specialists | $127,364 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $124,518 |
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | $118,242 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
With 2,901 different business, management & marketing programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased business, management & marketing school rankings to help you.
Those considering business, management & marketing, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
