What Can You Do With a Business Administration Degree?

A business administration degree is a versatile and useful qualification in today’s job market. This degree provides a solid foundation in essential business disciplines, like management, marketing, finance, and operations, and prepares professionals to excel in a wide range of industries and roles.

Whether you aspire to lead a high-performing team, analyze financial data, or launch a brand-new business, a business administration degree can help you gain the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive and achieve in a competitive, global workforce.

There are a variety of career paths available to graduates considering what to do with a business administration degree. Discover how a business administration degree can open doors to rewarding opportunities and result in long-term success.

Overview of a Business Administration Degree

A business administration degree focuses on developing a comprehensive understanding of how businesses operate, with an emphasis on leadership, management, and strategic decision-making. The primary goal is to prepare students to take on managerial and leadership roles across varied industries.

This degree offers a balanced combination of theory and practical skills, making it an excellent foundation for individuals interested in both starting their own businesses and advancing in corporate settings.

Core Curriculum

The curriculum for a business administration degree typically covers the following key areas:

Management: Leading teams, managing resources, and improving organizational efficiency
Finance: Understanding financial analysis, budgeting, and corporate finance
Marketing: Gaining skills in market research, branding, and consumer behavior
Human resources: Developing knowledge in recruitment, employee relations, and performance management
Operations: Focusing on supply chain management, production, and logistics

Professional Foundation

This degree offers a versatile skill set that is transferable across a wide range of careers.

Graduates gain expertise in problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and critical thinking — skills that are highly valued in every industry. Whether you work in health care, finance, technology, or any other sector, a business administration degree will enable you to tackle challenges while achieving business success.

Career Paths With a Business Administration Degree

It’s also important to know what you can do with a business administration degree from a career perspective. From entry-level positions to leadership roles, this degree is ideal for a career in many industries and verticals.

Consider some of the roles that business administration degree graduates enter:

Marketing manager: Develops marketing strategies, oversees campaigns, and analyzes performance metrics to optimize brand visibility and sales
Financial analyst: Evaluates financial data, forecasts trends, and provides recommendations to guide investment and business decisions
Human resources manager: Manages recruitment, employee relations, and organizational development to confirm a productive and compliant workforce
Operations manager: Leads daily business operations, optimizes processes, and manages teams to confirm efficient business performance
Supply chain manager: Oversees and optimizes end-to-end processes of sourcing, production, and distribution to ensure efficient and cost-effective delivery of goods and services
Entrepreneur: Envisions, launches, and manages businesses; develops strategies; and handles daily operations to attain business success
Management analyst: Provides expert advice to improve business performance, boosts operational efficiency, and supports strategic decision-making

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), professionals in the business field had a median annual wage of $79,040 in 2023.

Additional Career Opportunities

In addition to the core career paths, a business administration degree can be used in specialized fields. Graduates can pursue roles that align with their interests and expertise in areas such as:

Global perspective roles: Careers in international trade, supply chain management, and global marketing, focusing on expanding business reach and optimizing operations worldwide
Technology and data analytics: Positions such as business data analysts or information technology (IT) project managers that combine business acumen with technical savvy to realize well-informed decision-making
Leadership development: A business administration degree serves as a foundation for executive roles like chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), or chief operating officer (COO), emphasizing strategic leadership and organizational growth

Why Pursue a Career in Business Administration

With the ability to adapt to different kinds of roles, graduates of business administration degree programs have high levels of career versatility.

Earning potential for business administration professionals is strong, with the BLS noting the average salary for this group was $79,050 as of May 2023. Salaries do increase as a professional gains experience over time.

Moreover, the degree can provide opportunities for advancement, enabling individuals to move into executive leadership roles. This advancement can yield both stability and the potential for considerable career growth.

Ready To Pursue a Business Career?

Interested in what you can do with a business administration degree? Explore the online Bachelor of Business Administration Management Concentration at North Carolina Central University.

Designed for adult learners and busy professionals, this degree program can provide foundational business knowledge and management skills that are key to career advancement. Students develop key written and communication skills as well as knowledge about leadership methodologies, foundational principles, and practices in local and global business.

Learn more about how you can advance your career with a business administration degree at NCCU Online.

Recommended Readings:

Is Supply Chain Management a Good Career?

What Is Business Programming?

BBA vs. BS: Business Program Differences

Sources:

Harvard Business Review, “Balancing a Full-Time Job With School or a Side Hustle”

Indeed, “Business Administration: Definition and 27 Career Paths”

Investopedia, “Business Analyst: Career Path and Qualifications”

McKinsey & Company, “Stepping Up: Becoming a High-Potential CEO Candidate”

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Business and Financial Occupations”