by our College Data Analytics TeamAre you a leader? Do you enjoy working with people and problem solving? If you answered yes to both of these questions a degree in Business Administration & Management would be great fit for you. A program in Business Administration & Management teaches you how to organize, plan, direct, and control the functions and process of an organization or firm. In addition to learning these functions, you will be taking classes in Purchasing and Logistics, Marketing, Business Decision-making, Accounting, Human Resources, Management, and Organization and Production.
There are many different concentrations within this major. They include Research and Development Management, Project Management, Customer Service Management, Office Management and Supervision, Purchasing Management, Project Management, and Organizational Leadership. This major is commonly offered as a Bachelor's Degree.
Studying Business Administration & Management involves the study of Business Administration, Management And Operations. Read on to learn the essential details every business administration & management major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering business administration & management programs.
Across the country, business administration & management is a popular field of study, with 402,942 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Business Administration & Management Schools ranking analyzes these 2,497 schools to determine the best overall colleges for business administration & management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of business administration & management programs later in this article.
Studies in Business Administration & Management build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations business administration & management graduates commonly enter.
Leadership skills are important when working in the field of business. The majority of careers will require you to effectively organize and oversee others. Problem-solving and solid communication will help you succeed. There is an emphasis on group work, therefore being able to manage time and work well with others is necessary.
Students should have some interest in math, as you will be taking a lot of mathematical courses. This program is not only offered as a Bachelor's Degree, but students can continue onto higher education and receive a Master's or Doctorate in this major.
Skills emphasized by a business administration & management program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a business administration & management major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several business administration & management 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 | 6,391 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 63,272 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 160,404 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 168,442 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 3,454 |
People currently working in careers related to business administration & management tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 48.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 10.7% |
| Master’s degree | 10.6% |
| Some college courses | 8.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 2.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.6% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in business administration & management careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A graduate with a degree in this major could enter into many different fields. The majority of these careers are in a management role; therefore you will be leading groups of people to meet a common goal. You have the opportunity to become a Financial Manager, Human Resources Manager, Medical and Health Service Manager, or an Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations Manager. If you do not wish to become a manager, there are opportunities to become a Top Executive of a company, or an Education Administrator.
A degree in business administration & management opens doors to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to business administration & management.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to business administration & management.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 1,904,234 | -0.4% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | 877,525 | -2.0% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | 830,802 | 5.3% |
| Security Management Specialists | 765,822 | -1.0% |
| Logistics Analysts | 688,094 | 1.5% |
| Logistics Engineers | 687,152 | 13.4% |
| Business Continuity Planners | 678,409 | 12.4% |
| Online Merchants | 677,689 | 10.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of business administration & management graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $62,537 |
| 4 years | $63,883 |
| 5 years | $71,749 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for business administration & management graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers business administration & management grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Geothermal Production Managers | $160,381 |
| Administrative Services Managers | $158,084 |
| Facilities Managers | $157,669 |
| Biomass Power Plant Managers | $146,025 |
| Supply Chain Managers | $138,103 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $129,557 |
| Security Management Specialists | $128,654 |
With 2,497 different business administration & management programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased business administration & management school rankings to help you.
Those considering business administration & management, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | 81,835 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 62,236 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 57,976 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 57,564 |
| Marketing | 53,750 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 25,424 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | 16,153 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 14,306 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 13,333 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 12,092 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
