Business is among the most marketable degrees, and studying one of the highest paying majors in business can help you enter lucrative fields such as technology and finance.
After all, choosing your college degree is one of life’s big decisions. Earning a high-paying business degree can help you kickstart your career and gain early experience in this in-demand field.
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This guide lists business majors that have some of the greatest earning potential, along with general program information and possible career outcomes.
Highest Paying Majors in Business
Business majors share several core courses, such as marketing, accounting, and finance, but different programs can lead to different career paths.
The following lists the most useful majors in business, as they are especially associated with high-paying potential careers, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Information System Management
- Marketing
- Finance
- E-Commerce Management
- International Business
- Human Resources
- Actuarial Science
- Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- Healthcare Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Logistics
- Statistics
- Accounting
- Environmental Management
Regardless of the specialty you select, you will still receive a strong foundation in business and related courses.
Information System Management
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Annual Median Salary: $159,010
Job Outlook: 11%
A degree in information systems management is oriented toward those who want to work in the technology industry. Companies are increasingly relying on tools like software and hardware systems, so knowing how to work with these is an asset.
In an information systems management program, you can develop an understanding of how businesses work in general and how technology can help with meeting organizational goals. Much of the coursework revolves around technical topics like database management, cybersecurity, and programming.
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Information systems management is actually one of the highest paying business jobs. Many graduates also go into database administration, web development, and software engineering.
Marketing
Marketing Managers
Annual Median Salary: $135,030
Job Outlook: 10%
Marketing is a thriving industry today, especially with the shift toward digital tools like social media and online advertisements. Getting a marketing degree can be very useful because it can help equip you with skills that practically every company is looking for.
As a marketing major, you can learn to develop strategic marketing plans that can help businesses stand out and connect with customers. Most programs feature classes on market research and data analysis, too, so you can make decisions based on data.
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A marketing degree can often open up job opportunities in public relations, advertising, copywriting, media, and management.
Finance
Financial Managers
Annual Median Salary: $131,710
Job Outlook: 17%
Finance is a consistently popular undergraduate program, and this is because it can lead to many of the highest paying jobs with a business degree.
Finance occupations include financial analyst, investment banker, management consultant, and personal financial advisor, among others. Some experienced finance professionals end up taking on leadership roles as financial managers or chief financial officers.
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Majoring in finance can help you understand the fundamentals of financial management for businesses, individuals, and organizations. You can learn to interpret financial statements, assess investments, and give insights about various markets. You can also learn how to break down financial data using advanced software.
E-Commerce Management
Advertising and Promotions Managers
Annual Median Salary: $127,150
Job Outlook: 10%
E-commerce is one of the biggest developments in modern business, as more people now prefer ordering products online. To get a head start in this fast-paced field, you can pursue a degree in e-commerce management.
E-commerce management majors study the best practices for managing online businesses. Aside from topics such as marketing, operations, and strategic decision-making, they also tackle international business. Compared to regular business degrees, an e-commerce management major includes more classes on technology, especially social media and data analytics.
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Graduates can work in e-commerce companies across various roles, including project management and digital marketing. Alternatively, they may start their own ventures.
International Business
Sales Managers
Annual Median Salary: $127,490
Job Outlook: 7%
An international business degree might be a good fit for you if you love traveling or immersing in different cultures. It’s among the most popular business degrees because it looks at business fundamentals with an emphasis on cross-border trade.
International business majors learn how to plan, lead, and make decisions in a diverse environment while tackling marketing and operations from a global perspective. You might also have the option to dive deep into business markets of a specific area and take foreign language electives.
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Graduates can often take on diverse roles in multinational corporations, working in areas such as project management, human resources, and marketing.
Human Resources
Human Resources Managers
Annual Median Salary: $126,230
Job Outlook: 9%
Human resources (HR) is one of the most crucial aspects of a business because it handles employee-related concerns.
HR officers and managers are present at every stage of the employee lifecycle. This spans recruitment and onboarding all the way to employee benefits and compensations. A human resources degree will train you in the various functions of human resources officers.
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Aside from core business courses like operations and organizational management, you’ll delve into modules about the end-to-end HR process. This includes assessing job candidates and creating training programs. An HR degree covers employment laws and practices as well.
Actuarial Science
Actuaries
Annual Median Salary: $105,900
Job Outlook: 24%
Actuarial science is all about estimating the risk of certain events happening using mathematics and statistics and assessing their financial impact. Many actuaries work in sectors like health and property insurance, investment, and employee benefits.
Actuaries need professional certification to practice, and majoring in actuarial science can help prepare you for this career. A degree in actuarial science involves plenty of mathematical theory, but it’s still considered a business degree because students apply it to case studies and real-life situations.
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Actuarial science majors study economics, data science, and finance as well, with extra classes on health and life insurance.
Economics
Economists
Annual Median Salary: $105,630
Job Outlook: 13%
Every business major studies economics because a good understanding of economics is essential to building a strong business strategy. If you choose to become an economics major, you’ll be studying this field in depth.
You can tackle core concepts in microeconomics and macroeconomics and then apply these to various sectors, from public policies to business markets. Later on in the program, you’ll get more familiar with business and government regulations, and you’ll assess major trends, such as unemployment and technological disruption.
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Economics graduates often work in government or finance, but they can also pursue other careers that involve data analysis.
Entrepreneurship
Top Executives
Annual Median Salary: $98,980
Job Outlook: 8%
If you’re excited about innovation and leading a company, then a degree in entrepreneurship might suit you well. The barriers to starting your own venture are now lower than ever, and becoming an entrepreneur can be among the highest paying careers in business.
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With a degree in entrepreneurship, you’ll learn about the entire process of launching a business. This covers identifying marketing needs, creating business plans, and managing a team effectively, among other steps. Entrepreneurship is one of the majors that don’t require math at an advanced level, so if math is not a strength of yours, this is a major to consider.
You could be exposed to mentors, and you’ll likely have to launch your own project or have to intern at a startup setting.
Healthcare Management
Medical and Health Services Managers
Annual Median Salary: $101,340
Job Outlook: 32%
If you’re interested in business degrees that pay well, you may want to look into healthcare management. There is a huge demand for healthcare managers and it can be one of the highest paying majors in the business field. These professionals coordinate the services and oversee the employees of clinics, hospitals, and other health providers.
To break into this role, it’s often necessary to acquire specialized knowledge about the workings of health systems. This is where a degree in healthcare management comes in. Healthcare management majors take extensive courses in business as applied to healthcare organizations. They study financial and risk management, ethics, operations, and strategic planning and leadership.
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Beyond this, you can get to know the healthcare system thoroughly, from ethics and legal issues to evolving technology standards.
Supply Chain Management
General and Operations Managers
Annual Median Salary: $97,970
Job Outlook: 9%
All companies that sell physical products require supply chain management, which covers all of the stages of sourcing, manufacturing, storing, and shipping goods.
As companies expand their reach internationally, supply chain management has become a fast-paced industry with plenty of high-paying jobs. Majoring in supply chain management can give you the specialized knowledge needed to understand how the supply chain works in a global marketplace.
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In a supply chain management program, you can get practice with improving processes, with classes on regulations, resource allocation, pricing analysis, and product development. Ultimately, you can assess how to take charge of operations at every step of the supply chain.
Logistics
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
Annual Median Salary: $98,230
Job Outlook: 8%
Logistics management involves coordinating the storage and transportation of goods. Its goal is to make the whole process seamless, from getting the raw materials to delivering finished products to customers.
Majoring in logistics can help you hone your critical thinking skills and your ability to implement. In turn, these skill sets can help you be better prepared for management roles in logistics, operations, and distribution. In this type of program, you can get a comprehensive overview of the key steps in the supply chain, along with common issues and strategies for improvement.
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Logistics often involves working internationally, so you’ll likely receive training in working with companies from different countries and handling cultural differences.
Statistics
Statisticians
Annual Median Salary: $95,570
Job Outlook: 35%
Statistics is one of the highest paying business degrees, with statisticians having a median salary of $95,570 yearly. Being able to crunch numbers and detect patterns in raw data is a highly sought-after skill—not only by research organizations but also by regular companies looking to improve their performance.
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You can get started in this field by earning a bachelor’s degree in statistics, which is often considered one of the most lucrative bachelor degrees. As a statistics major, you’ll spend a lot of time studying probability theory and then applying this to data sets in the real world. Advanced calculus, linear algebra, and statistical methods are typically part of the coursework.
Accounting
Accountants and Auditors
Annual Median Salary: $77,250
Job Outlook: 7%
A degree in accounting can lead to profitable finance jobs. For instance, every business needs accountants and auditors to help prepare its taxes and manage financial records.
One pathway to qualifying for advanced roles in accounting is to take an accounting degree and then meet state licensure requirements to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). In an accounting degree program, you can get a solid foundation in business fundamentals along with specialized accounting courses.
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On top of this, you’ll likely be trained to use databases and spreadsheets to track financial data, and you’ll learn how to analyze a company’s cash flow and work with tax and corporate laws.
Environmental Management
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
Annual Median Salary: $76,530
Job Outlook: 8%
Environmental sustainability is becoming a greater concern, and more public and private organizations are hiring environmental specialists to improve their practices and policies.
Majoring in environmental management can help equip you with both business skills and knowledge in the natural sciences. An environmental management degree trains you in assessing and managing environmental issues as well as coming up with solutions that meet the needs of stakeholders.
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It’s a well-rounded program where you can have the chance to do fieldwork and laboratory activities. At the same time, you can gain awareness about economic policies and environmental laws. Graduates tend to become natural resource managers, policy analysts, environmental consultants, and sustainability officers.
Should I Get a Business Degree?
Business degrees are considered some of the most practical and marketable degrees, but whether you should earn one will often depend on your personal interests and career goals.
There are several advantages to getting a business degree. Regardless of your specific major, you can receive training in skills that are applicable and essential to all businesses, including operations, project management, and marketing.
On top of this, many professionals have obtained some of the highest paying jobs with a business degree. Most business-related roles also have higher than average salaries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What Business Major Makes the Most Money?
Here are some of the highest paid business majors, based on median annual salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Information Systems Management: Computer and Information Systems Managers ($159,010)
- Marketing: Marketing Managers ($135,030)
- E-Commerce Management: Advertising and Promotions Managers ($127,150)
- Finance: Financial Managers ($131,710); Personal Financial Advisors ($94,170); Financial Analysts ($81,410)
- International Business: Sales Managers ($127,490); Management Analysts ($93,000)
- Actuarial Science: Actuaries ($105,900)
- Human Resources: Compensation and Benefits Managers ($127,530); Human Resources Managers ($126,230); Training and Development Managers ($120,130)
- Economics: Economists ($105,630)
- Entrepreneurship: Top Executives ($98,980)
- Healthcare Management: Medical and Health Services Managers ($101,340)
This list of highest paying business majors includes examples of related careers and their median salaries. It’s worth noting, though, that there are many additional career options for each degree, and individual salaries can vary widely.
What’s the Difference Between a Degree in Business Administration vs. Business Management?
People sometimes interchange degrees in business administration and business management, but there are a few key differences.
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Even though there are differences between the two, both degrees have plenty of shared core courses. Many professionals go on to earn their Master of Business Administration after earning their bachelors in their field of interest. Many professionals consider an MBA to be among the highest paying masters degrees.
Getting Your Bachelor Degree in Business Online
Business programs have remained a top choice for years. Business degrees focus on preparing you for the workplace, and they can help you qualify for profitable job roles. They also expose you to various aspects of a business early on.
You now have the additional option of getting your online business administration degree from a number of accredited schools. With the added flexibility of online bachelor’s degree programming, it’s more convenient than ever to get a quality education for the business career that you want.
