Business Administration, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources Management, Entrepreneurship, Management and Organizational Leadership, Economics, Project Management, Business Analytics, Real Estate, Insurance and Risk Management, International Business, and Sales and Merchandising. Each major below links to what it includes, the skills you build, career paths, suggested minors and how many colleges report awarding it.
Colleges: active, degree-granting U.S. schools that reported awarding at least one degree or certificate in the field, IPEDS completions, awards conferred July 2023 to June 2024 (C2024_A).
Business Administration
A broad business major that covers management, finance, marketing and operations. Business administration gives you a working knowledge of how organizations run.
Skills: Business analysis, Budgeting, Team leadership, and Professional communication. Pairs well with: Accounting, Marketing, Data Analytics.
Marketing
Studies how organizations understand customers and promote products and services. Marketing majors learn consumer behavior, market research, branding, advertising, digital and social media marketing, and sales.
Skills: Market research, Content and campaign planning, Digital marketing tools, and Data analysis. Pairs well with: Communications, Psychology, Business.
Accounting
Teaches you to record, analyze, report and audit financial information. Accounting majors learn financial and managerial accounting, tax, auditing and accounting information systems.
Skills: Financial reporting, Tax preparation, Auditing, and Spreadsheets and accounting software. Pairs well with: Finance, Information Systems, Data Analytics.
Finance
Studies how individuals and organizations raise, invest and manage money. Finance majors learn corporate finance, investments, financial markets, banking and risk management, using quantitative tools and financial software.
Skills: Financial modeling, Spreadsheet analysis, Risk assessment, and Quantitative reasoning. Pairs well with: Economics, Accounting, Mathematics.
Human Resources Management
Teaches you to recruit, train, pay and support an organization's workforce. Human resources majors study staffing, training and development, compensation and benefits, employment law and employee relations.
Skills: Recruiting and interviewing, Employment law compliance, Conflict resolution, and HR information systems. Pairs well with: Psychology, Communications, Business.
Entrepreneurship
Teaches you to start, fund and grow a new business or venture. Entrepreneurship majors learn to spot opportunities, test ideas, write business plans, raise money and manage a small business.
Skills: Opportunity analysis, Business planning, Budgeting, and Sales and negotiation. Pairs well with: Marketing, Accounting, Digital Media.
Management and Organizational Leadership
Focuses on leading people, teams and organizations. Management and organizational leadership majors study leadership, organizational behavior, strategy, change management and ethics.
Skills: Team leadership, Decision-making, Conflict resolution, and Planning and delegation. Pairs well with: Human Resources, Project Management, Psychology.
Economics
Studies how people, businesses and governments make choices about scarce resources. Economics majors learn microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, using math and data to analyze markets, policy and behavior.
Skills: Data analysis, Economic modeling, Critical thinking, and Research and writing. Pairs well with: Mathematics, Data Analytics, Political Science.
Project Management
Teaches you to plan, schedule, budget and deliver projects of any kind. Project management programs cover project planning, scheduling, cost control, risk management and team leadership, along with both traditional and agile methods.
Skills: Scheduling, Budget tracking, Risk assessment, and Stakeholder communication. Pairs well with: Business, Information Technology, Construction Management.
Business Analytics
Teaches you to use data and statistics to answer business questions. Business analytics majors learn statistics, data management, visualization and predictive modeling, applied to marketing, operations and finance problems.
Skills: Data analysis, Spreadsheets and SQL, Visualization and dashboards, and Statistical reasoning. Pairs well with: Computer Science, Marketing, Finance.
Real Estate
Studies how property is bought, sold, financed, developed and managed. Real estate majors learn property law, valuation, finance, investment and property management.
Skills: Property valuation, Negotiation, Contracts, and Financial analysis. Pairs well with: Finance, Professional Sales, Construction Management.
Insurance and Risk Management
Studies how risks are measured, priced and covered by insurance. Insurance and risk management majors learn underwriting, claims, risk analysis, insurance law and financial planning.
Skills: Risk assessment, Analytical thinking, Customer service, and Negotiation. Pairs well with: Finance, Statistics, Legal Studies.
International Business
Studies how companies trade, operate and compete across countries. International business majors combine business fundamentals with global trade, international finance, cross-cultural management and often a foreign language.
Skills: Cross-cultural communication, Trade regulations, Market analysis, and Foreign language. Pairs well with: Spanish, Supply Chain Management, Economics.
Sales and Merchandising
Teaches professional selling, retail management and merchandising. Sales and merchandising programs cover professional selling, customer relationship management, retail operations, buying and visual merchandising.
Skills: Prospecting and closing sales, Customer relationships, CRM software, and Negotiation. Pairs well with: Marketing, Communications, Psychology.
Practical training for business careers
These Career Education Institute courses connect to the careers above. Each is a short, self-paced online course about one job.
A self-paced online course on what management analysts do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: data analysis, process mapping, and financial analysis
Why it fits: Connected to your Business Administration major
A self-paced online course on what financial analysts do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: financial modeling, excel, and accounting fundamentals
Why it fits: Connected to your Accounting major
A self-paced online course on what general and operations managers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: operations management, budgeting, and process improvement
Why it fits: Connected to your Business Administration major
A self-paced online course on what budget analysts do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: budget preparation, financial analysis, and forecasting
Why it fits: Connected to your Accounting major
A self-paced online course on what project managers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: scope, schedule and budget management, project management software, and risk management
Why it fits: Connected to your Business Administration major
A self-paced online course on what retail store managers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: sales management, scheduling and payroll, and inventory and shrink control
Why it fits: Connected to your Entrepreneurship major
Why consider career training alongside college?
Your college major gives you an academic foundation. Short career training can add practical knowledge of a specific job: what the work involves day to day, its vocabulary, common tasks, tools and safety rules. You do not have to wait until graduation: many students take a short course to test a career before choosing a major, to prepare for an internship or a part-time job, or to show employers they understand the work.
Business majors: frequently asked questions
What are the best business majors?
The best major depends on the career you want. Common choices include Business Administration, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, and Human Resources Management. Compare the careers, coursework and skills for each.
How many business majors are there?
This guide covers 14 majors in business: Business Administration, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources Management, Entrepreneurship, Management and Organizational Leadership, Economics, Project Management, Business Analytics, Real Estate, Insurance and Risk Management, International Business, and Sales and Merchandising. Colleges may use different names for similar programs.
What careers can you get with a business major?
Careers connected to these majors include general and operations manager, administrative services manager, marketing manager, digital marketing specialist, accountant, bookkeeper, financial analyst, and financial advisor. Some require a degree and a license, while others start with a certificate or on-the-job training.
Which business majors are offered at the most colleges?
Business Administration (2,496 colleges), Accounting (1,884 colleges), Marketing (1,036 colleges), and Economics (889 colleges), based on IPEDS completions data.
Which business programs can you start with a certificate or associate degree?
Business Administration, Marketing, Accounting, Human Resources Management, Entrepreneurship, Management and Organizational Leadership, Project Management, Real Estate, and Sales and Merchandising are commonly offered as certificates or associate degrees, as well as at higher levels at some schools.
What skills do business majors build?
Common skills include business analysis, budgeting, market research, content and campaign planning, financial reporting, tax preparation, financial modeling, and spreadsheet analysis.
Can I study business online?
Many colleges that offer these majors also report offering fully online programs. Use the college search with a major selected and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with each school which programs are online.
Can I start training for a business career before I finish college?
Yes. Short online career training can help you learn what a specific job involves and build practical knowledge while you study. It does not replace a degree or a required license.