The Pros and Cons of a Business Administration Degree

A bachelor's in business administration is one of the most common degrees with around 350,000 degrees awarded yearly.

Business administration degrees have been changing to reflect the nature of the modern digital economy.

Contemporary business education programs are delivered in a range of flexible formats that can be accessible to more students.

Students should consider both the pros and cons of a business administration degree in order to make an informed decision.

Pros of a Business Administration Degree

Business administration is a popular degree for a reason. Business degrees have fueled thousands of successful business careers and transformed many lives.

Here are some of the strong points of a business administration degree.

Marketable Skills

Students in some subjects can face a difficult path to monetizing the skills they acquire. This is not the case at all for business administration students.

The skills taught in business programs have direct applications to many job roles. Most business programs are designed with industry standards and in-demand abilities in mind.

Skills such as data analysis, budgeting, leadership, professional communication, strategic decision making, project management, conflict resolution, and negotiation are all valuable in many different contexts.

Career Flexibility

Students are often unsure what they would like to do for the rest of their lives. Even those who do have a well-defined area of interest often change course later in life.

Additionally, the modern economy moves much more quickly. Entire sectors can become obsolete, and individuals with narrow skill sets may require retraining to successfully shift careers.

A business degree affords students optimal flexibility and retains value no matter where life takes students.

No matter what the market or technology throws at business students, they will be well-positioned to fluidly adapt and identify emerging opportunities.

Strong Links Between Industry and Academia

In some fields of study, instructors have little interaction with the world outside of academia. Business is known for having industry-experienced instructors.

Being taught by seasoned professionals who understand the markets that students will be entering after graduation can be a significant advantage.

The links between business administration programs and industry can also help facilitate internships and job placements.

Business departments typically do a good job of engaging with industry partners and actors outside of the university scene. Students can utilize these networks to move from college to career more smoothly.

Remote Study

While many universities now offer a wide range of degrees in a remote format, some subjects lend themselves to distance learning more easily than others.

Online learning formats are well-suited to business degrees because much of modern commerce takes place online.

Students will understand how to communicate in digital formats and take advantage of remote flexibility.

Students can access numerous online business administration degrees anywhere in the country. This enables more students to find a program that fits their specific situation.

Many online business degrees are flexible enough that students can continue working while they study. Some remote programs also offer students credit for professional experience.

Cons of a Business Administration Degree

While business administration degrees are typically considered a solid investment in a student's future, there are also several drawbacks associated with studying business.

Lack of Specialized Focus

The tradeoff for the flexible skills that a business administration degree provides is the limitation of generality.

Business does not prepare students for a single specific field but rather applies to nearly all organizations and markets.

Some students can find the broad nature of business overwhelming and struggle to find a more specific place within the job market.

Students may benefit from working with an academic advisor or mentor to develop a slightly more specific area of focus and select a concentration when possible.

Competitive Job Market

Due to the extremely high number of business administration graduates, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd.

Business programs attract many ambitious students who must then all compete for limited jobs upon graduation.

Students may need to find ways to distinguish themselves through internships, concentrations, and additional professional certificates.

The competitive job market often pushes students to pursue a master's in business administration (MBA) which raises the competition further.

Exclusivity of Prestigious Programs

While there are many affordable and accessible business administration programs, graduates of a small number of highly exclusive programs are over-represented in desirable jobs.

Business requires relationships and networking, and the most advantageous networks are often inaccessible to students without significant financial resources.

Prestigious programs often pride themselves on their exclusivity and can limit the diversity of highly-compensated areas of employment.

Slower Career Progression

Graduates of business administration degrees may need time to work their way upward in the organizations they are employed in after graduation.

While a business degree provides many valuable skills, it is not typical for business students to be hired for senior and management roles without significant professional experience.

Business students can also choose to start their own businesses, but this increases financial risk and may also require time for profitability.

Students should take advantage of internships during the degree so they can start building valuable years of experience even before graduation.

Find a Business Administration Program Today

While there are pros and cons to studying business administration, students who make an informed decision stand to benefit greatly from the degree. Find a business program that fits your needs and take your career to the next level.