Reasons to Choose a Business Major

Business is a popular academic path for many students. These are just some of the reasons to major in business at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Business is a Practical Major

Business is sometimes known as the "play it safe" major because it is a practical choice for almost anyone. Every organization, regardless of industry, relies on business principles to prosper. Individuals who have a solid business education are not only poised to start their own business, they also have the practical skills needed to excel in a variety of positions in the industry of their choice.

Demand for Business Majors is High

The demand for business majors will always be high because there is an endless number of career opportunities available to individuals with a good business education. Employers in every industry need people who have been trained to organize, plan, and manage within an organization. In fact, there are many companies in the business industry who rely on business school recruiting alone to acquire new employees.

You Could Earn a High Starting Salary

There are some individuals who spend more than $100,000 on a graduate-level business education. These individuals know that they will make all of that money back within a year or two after graduation if they can find the right position. Starting salaries for business majors can be high, even at the undergraduate level. According to Census Bureau data, business is one of the highest paying majors. In fact, the only majors that pay more are architecture and engineering; computers, mathematics and statistics; and health. Students who earn an advanced degree, like an MBA, can earn even more. An advanced degree can make you eligible for management positions with very lucrative salaries, such as Chief Executive Officer or Chief Finance Officer.

There are Plenty of Opportunities for Specialization

Majoring in business isn't as straightforward as most people believe it is. There are more opportunities for specialization in business than most other fields. Business majors can choose to specialize in accounting, finance, human resources, marketing, nonprofits, management, real estate, or any path that relates to business and industry. If you aren't sure what you want to do for the rest of your life, but you need to pick a major, business is a good option. You can always choose a specialization that fits your personality and career goals later on.

You Could Start Your Own Business

Most business programs⁠—at the undergraduate and graduate level⁠—contain core business courses in accounting, finance, marketing, management, and other essential business topics. The knowledge and skills that you obtain in these core classes are easily transferable to entrepreneurial pursuits, which means that you could easily start your own business after your earn your business degree. If you already know that you want to start your own company, you could major in business and minor or specialize in entrepreneurship to give yourself an extra edge.