What it is
Business administration is the broad study of how organizations are run — management, finance, marketing, operations, and strategy. It's the most flexible business major, opening doors across nearly every industry, and a common foundation for an MBA.
What you'll study
A business core plus a concentration:
- Year 1–2Accounting, economics, statistics, and business fundamentals
- Year 2–3Finance, marketing, management, and operations
- Year 3–4Strategy, business law, a concentration, and often an internship or capstone
Concentrations & focus areas
- ManagementLeading teams
- FinanceMoney & investment
- MarketingReaching customers
- Operations / Supply ChainRunning the business
- EntrepreneurshipStarting ventures
- International BusinessGlobal commerce
Skills you'll build
- ManagementLeading people & projects
- AnalysisBusiness & financial
- CommunicationPersuasion & teamwork
- Problem-solvingBusiness decisions
- Broad business literacyAcross functions
Careers & job titles
- Management / operations rolesAcross industries
- Business / financial analystAnalysis
- Sales / marketing rolesRevenue
- ConsultantAdvisory
- Operations managerRunning teams (~$101,280)
- Executive / GMWith experience (~$122,090 group)
Job outlook & demand
The BLS management occupations group is projected to grow faster than average, with about 1.1 million openings a year. Business administration's flexibility means graduates enter management, operations, sales, finance, and consulting across every industry.
Pay: median, range & trajectory
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the management occupations group had a median of $122,090, and business & financial occupations $82,660 — both well above the all-occupation median. General/operations managers earn ~$101,280; senior leadership far more.
Degree levels it's offered at
Offered across these levels — click a level to learn about it:
A bachelor's is the standard entry; a master's (often an MBA) accelerates advancement into management and leadership.
Is it right for you?
You might thrive here if you like working with people and organizations, are practical and results-oriented, and want a flexible degree with clear advancement.
Edge: business rewards internships, quantitative/analytics skills, and a concentration — and the MBA is a well-worn path to leadership and higher pay.
Explore further
Keep exploring:
Key facts
- BreadthAll core business functions
- StudyAccounting, finance, marketing, management, ops
- CareersManagement, operations, consulting, sales, analysis
- NextCommon foundation for an MBA
- Pay$122,090 mgmt group median (BLS)
Where to learn more
Authoritative sources for careers and pay: