edX Online

Bachelor’s in business administration degrees

Business administration is a versatile field that can offer higher-than-average earning potential. Explore business administration bachelor's degrees and learn about the benefits of earning one.

Explore online business administration programs

Why pursue a bachelor's in business administration?

Build a strong educational foundation

This versatile degree can transfer into various career and educational paths across multiple industries.

Market yourself to employers

Employers in virtually every industry depend on the skills you can learn in a business administration bachelor's program.

Cut costs and enjoy excellent flexibility

Studying online can save you money while delivering schedule flexibility.

What can you do with a bachelor's in business administration?

A business administration bachelor's can open doors to careers with growth potential, especially if you choose to pursue a master's or doctorate degree later on. Some of the subfields you can enter include analytics, finance, management, marketing, and sales.

Here are some potential career paths to pursue, with data supplied by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

Budget analyst

Budget analysts work in both the public and private sectors, where they help create budgets and manage organizational spending. They track the allocation and use of financial resources, and prepare reports for senior managers.

  • BLS median annual salary (2024): $87,930
  • Projected job growth (2023-33): +4%

What can you learn in a bachelor's in business administration program?

Business administration bachelor's programs emphasize the fundamentals of finance, management, and marketing. Schools engineer their curricula to help students develop analytical and problem-solving skills with strong real-world relevance.

You can pursue a generalist degree or a concentration in areas like:

  • Data analytics
  • Finance
  • Healthcare management or human resource management
  • Marketing

Programs typically require you to complete 120 credits. You can expect to graduate in about four academic years if you study on a regular, full-time schedule.

BA in business administration vs. BS in business administration

Business administration bachelor's programs typically lead to one of three degree designations:

  • Bachelor of arts (BA)
  • Bachelor of business administration (BBA)
  • Bachelor of science (BS)

Here are the differences between BA and BS degree programs:

BA in business administration

  • More emphasis on qualitative aspects of business administration
  • Stronger liberal arts and general business coverage
  • Programs specifically develop interpersonal and communication skills

BS in business administration

  • More emphasis on quantitative aspects of business administration
  • Stronger coverage of technical concepts
  • Programs specifically develop analytical and strategic management skills

Courses common to both tracks may include:

  • Introduction to business administration
  • Fundamentals of macroeconomics (and/or microeconomics)
  • Introduction to financial accounting (and/or managerial accounting)
  • Topics in business law

Online format

Earning your bachelor's in business administration online can deliver scheduling flexibility and cost savings. However, you may trade off some of the networking benefits that face-to-face programs offer.

Keep these limitations in mind as you compare your study options.

Admissions requirements for a bachelor's in business administration

You can prepare for your business administration bachelor's by taking college prep courses in accounting, business, communications, and mathematics in high school. However, many business schools will consider you even if you lack these prerequisites.

Firm requirements typically include a high school diploma or equivalent and academic transcripts. SAT or ACT scores may be required, but many schools have embraced test-optional admissions policies.

Further education in business administration

  • Master's in business administration: build on your bachelor's degree. develop deeper, more advanced skills that can help you pursue and accelerate your advancement potential.
  • Doctorate in business administration: Doctoral degrees in business administration focus on research and theory development. Consider this path if you aspire to a career in leadership, academia, or business methodology.
Explore online business administration programs

Frequently asked questions

Do companies prefer a BS or a BA in business administration?

Both programs teach comparable skills, and employers may not prefer one over the other. It also depends on the nature of the open position. A BA might be better for a job involving more interpersonal interaction, while a BS might be better for a role focused on quantitative analysis.

How hard is a business administration degree?

It depends on your aptitudes and background, but your learning curve will be steeper if you have little to no relevant knowledge of business concepts. You can prepare by taking college prep courses in areas like accounting, business, and mathematics.

What is the hardest subject in business administration?

Undergraduate students may find it challenging to navigate courses that involve intensive quantitative analytics. Examples include foundational coursework in accounting, economics, finance, and statistics. However, it ultimately depends on your personal academic strengths.

What is the highest-paying job in business administration?

Apart from chief executives and other C-suite roles, top-paying management occupations tend to pay six-figure salaries, according to the BLS. Your exact salary depends on your location, industry, and credentials.


Published July 21, 2025