Business Degree vs. Business Administration Degree

Business is a broad concept that refers to many aspects of commerce in a market economy. Students pursuing business degrees should be aware of the different types of business degrees available.

Understanding the different types of business degrees can help students select a program that aligns with their interests and career objectives.

All business graduates will learn about the core principles of business but different types of business degrees will emphasize different areas such as management, marketing, human resources, finance, or accounting.

Differences Between Business and Business Administration Degrees

The broad nature of business means that bachelor's degrees in business are commonly offered with concentrations or a specialization.

Nearly all business degrees at the bachelor's level are labeled business administration degrees in the official title of the degree awarded.

Business students will earn either a Bachelor of Arts in business administration (BABA) or a Bachelor of Sciences in business administration (BSBA).

However, students looking for a general business degree can select a program that offers a concentration in general business.

Learning which track or concentration a business program offers is an important part of finding a good fit for your abilities and interests.

Types of Business Degrees

Business graduates will eventually fill some specific role within a business. Depending on the flexibility desired, different concentrations may be optimal for different students.

For example, students interested in the management aspect of business will likely earn a Bachelor of Arts or Science in business administration with a concentration in management.

Concentration in General Business

The most straightforward business degree is a business administration degree with a concentration in general business.

Students taking a general business track will cover many areas of business such as finance, management, accounting, entrepreneurship, marketing, and human resources management but they will not specialize in any one of these topics.

A concentration in general business can be useful for students who wish to keep their career options open and learn about a wide range of job roles within different types of organizations.

General business students can always specialize later on if they identify an area of business that matches their interests.

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship can be another great choice as a concentration for business majors seeking a broad understanding of business.

Entrepreneurs build businesses from the ground up so they need to be familiar with management, hiring, accounting, budgeting, marketing, sales, and many other areas of business.

Career Paths for Business Degree vs. Business Administration Degree

Students earning different types of business degrees will gravitate towards different types of organizations and job roles.

Being the broadest type of degree, students who select a general business concentration will have an array of career options.

While some will narrow their focus later on, many become business consultants or analysts who use their comprehensive knowledge of business to identify strengths and weaknesses in organizations.

Students who select another concentration within business administration will typically move into roles corresponding with those specializations.

For example, students who earn a business administration degree with a concentration in human resources will be well qualified to become human resources managers.

How to Select a Business Degree

Many students worry about selecting an area of business to target if they are unsure what type of jobs they would enjoy.

Students should first identify which concentrations are available within each potential business program. Even if you are not sure what type of business degree to pursue, it is important to know your options.

Educational background and strengths are other important factors to consider. Students who excel in math and enjoy quantitative methods often do well in finance, accounting, economics, or data analytics concentrations.

Areas of business such as management, marketing, entrepreneurship, and sales can be good choices for students who enjoy building relationships, understanding human behavior, and communicating effectively.

Because the first year of most bachelor's degrees is generally composed of general education credits, students may be able to hold off on selecting a specialization in some cases.

Speaking with instructors in the business program is a smart way to assess the fit of the program to your individual goals.

Instructors are often happy to speak to prospective students and will be able to offer precise information about the content of the degree.

Is a Business Degree Worth It?

No matter what kind of business degree students choose to pursue, they will learn many marketable skills that will open new job possibilities for them.

Business degrees also help students understand the principles of the very job markets they will enter after graduation.

Business graduates have in-demand skills and are sought after by a wide range of organizations so the degree typically pays off in the long run.

Earn Your Degree in Business

Whether you want to pursue a general business degree or a more specialized track, finding more information is the key to a great fit. Find a program that offers the type of business degree you want and accelerate your business career progression today.