A Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) provides students with a vast knowledge of finance, accounting, international business, communications and marketing. This combination of skills amounts to the opportunity to pursue any number of job titles, ranging from project manager to financial adviser.
Earning a business degree can have a positive impact on your salary, even at an entry-level position, as well as widen your job prospects in a quickly growing job market.
How Does a Business Degree Affect Salary?
The average college graduate as of 2017 makes an entry-level salary of approximately $50,000 per year. This figure applies to students with a bachelor’s degree in business, too.
The advantage of earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration is that it prepares you for jobs with a higher median salary. The BSBA can qualify you for entry-level positions that serve as stepping stones to the more advanced roles listed below.
| Job Title | Median Annual Salary |
| Financial analyst | $84,000 |
| Market research analyst | $63,230 |
| Sales manager | $121,060 |
| Human resource specialist | $60,350 |
| Accountant and auditor | $69,350 |
| Management analyst | $82,450 |
| Personal financial advisor | $90,640 |
Beyond a higher earning potential, a business administration degree can also open up varied job opportunities for you to explore.
What Jobs Can You Get With a Business Degree?
Because a business administration degree can provide a variety of skills, you’ll be a likely candidate for numerous job titles. Some of these job titles include:
Financial Analyst: This person can be vital to helping a company make smart business decisions through analyzing financial data, often through investments. Skills include being familiar with micro and macroeconomics, statistics and accounting.
Project Manager: This person can enter a wide range of businesses, because a “project” can include anything from building a hospital to developing an IT program. Project managers are in charge of initiating, planning, leading, executing and finalizing a project.
Business Operations Specialist: A person in this role works to improve the day-to-day activities of a company through examining business operations. This requires skills in analysis, understanding customer needs and planning.
BSBA students must complete business core courses, major requirements and general education courses in order to graduate. Most programs consist of 120 credit hours.
What’s the Job Market Like for Business Administration Grads?
The business sector is a quickly growing job market. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of business/financial occupations is projected to grow 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, supplying around 773,800 new jobs. This is faster than the average of all occupations, making a business administration degree a valuable asset when securing your career.
Learn more about Arkansas State University’s online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program.
Sources:
Chron: The Average Salary of a Business Administration Major
Investopedia: Becoming a Financial Analyst
The Balance Careers: What Do Project Managers Do All Day?
Job Hero: Operations Specialist Job Description
Money: New College Grads Could Be Looking at the Highest Starting Salaries Ever
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Business and Financial Occupations