A Comprehensive Guide on the Types of Business Majors 2024

different types of business majors

It may or may not surprise you, but here’s a fact for the day: business is one of the three most popular majors among US students. That’s right, it alone accounts for as much as 19% of all college majors selected by young people. Impressive, isn’t it? If your dream is to earn an educational degree in business, we encourage you to read what we have to say about the various types of business majors available to anyone who wants to build a promising career in the future.

All Types of Business Majors You Should Consider

We chose the easiest way to give you an idea of the most popular business major types and share a source that you can definitely trust. Therefore, we turned to the information offered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the United States. Here is its answer to the question, “What types of business majors are there?”:

Let’s look at these types of business majors in more detail.

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Accounting

This specialized academic program offers students the knowledge and skills necessary to build a career in accounting and finance. Learners gain a deep understanding of the financial principles, rules, and tools needed to make effective financial decisions.

Best universities to study Accounting in the US: University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University, University of Notre Dame, and others.
Typical coursework: Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, Accounting Information Systems, Business Law, and more.
Possible future jobs for employment: certified public accountant (CPA), auditor, tax advisor, financial analyst, controller, etc.

Business Administration

Business Administration is a universal program that gives bachelor’s degree seekers a full understanding of business principles, management practices, and leadership skills. The major is an excellent choice for people looking for a variety of career opportunities in the corporate world, entrepreneurship, and management.

Best universities to study Business Administration in the US: Harvard University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and others.
Typical courses: Management Principles, Business Ethics, Science in Business, Strategic Management, Entrepreneurship, Operations Management, Business Communication, etc.
Possible future jobs: business manager, marketing manager, financial analyst, entrepreneur,
management consultant, and more.

Business Management

Business Management is one of the most popular types of business majors that prepares young minds for executive positions in various organizations. This major equips them with a solid knowledge of business principles and crucial management skills. It covers a wide range of areas, including marketing, finance, human resources, strategy, and entrepreneurship.

Best universities to study Business Management in the US: Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley (UCB), Yale University, New York University (NYU), etc.
Typical coursework: Principles of Management, Marketing Management, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility, Management Science, Entrepreneurship, and more.
Possible future job availability: general manager, marketing manager, financial analyst, human resources manager, business consultant, entrepreneur, and others.

types of business majors

Data Analytics

Data Analytics is an intersectional field that deals with the collection, analysis, and performance of data to make informed decisions. In business schools, students studying for this educational degree learn how to do statistical analysis, data visualization, and data-driven problem-solving.

Best universities to study Data Analytics in the US: University of California, Berkeley, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Washington, and others.
Typical coursework: Statistics, Data Mining, Data Visualization, Machine Learning, Database Management, Big Data Analytics, Ethics in Data Analytics, etc.
Possible future jobs for employment: data analyst, business intelligence analyst, quantitative analyst, healthcare data analyst, market research analyst, and more.

Economics

One of the most prominent types of business majors is Economics. It studies the principles and theories that drive the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Young people have the opportunity to learn how individuals, businesses, and governments make decisions about resource distribution, market behavior, and economic policy.

Best universities to study Economics in the US: Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Northwestern University, etc.
Typical courses: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, International Economics, Public Finance, Labor Economics, and more.
Possible future jobs: economist, financial analyst, policy analyst, banker, management consultant, market research analyst, and others.

Entrepreneurship

The Entrepreneurship major equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to start, manage, and grow their own businesses or bring innovation to already established organizations. It focuses on creativity, innovation, and the development of practical skills in business planning, marketing, and finance.

Best universities to study Entrepreneurship in the US: Babson College, University of California, Berkeley, Indiana University-Bloomington, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, etc.
Typical coursework: Business Planning, Marketing and Branding, Entrepreneurial Finance, Market Research, Startup Management, Leadership and Team Building.
Possible future job availability: startup founder, business development manager, product manager, innovation consultant, venture capitalist, and others.

Detailed information about the specialty can be accessed directly on a university or college’s website. Official portals always have the ending “edu” in their URLs.

Finance

Finance is one of the types of business majors that focuses on money management, investments, and other crucial financial activities. Students completing a bachelor’s degree receive a broad understanding of financial principles, investment analysis, risk management, and financial decision-making.

Best universities to study Finance in the US: Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, and others.
Typical coursework: Financial Management, Investments, Corporate Finance, Financial Markets, Risk Management, Financial Accounting, and more.
Possible future jobs for employment: financial analyst, financial planner, investment banker, financial consultant, hedge fund manager, etc.

International Business

The International Business specialization dives into the intricacies of international trade and diplomacy. It also sheds light on the cultural, economic, and political factors that play major roles in shaping global business. The discipline equips learners with the profound knowledge and skills necessary to work in various areas of world business.

Best universities to study International Business in the US: University of South Carolina, Florida International University, Georgetown University, and others.
Typical courses: International Marketing, Global Economics, Cross-Cultural Management, International Finance, International Trade Law, and Foreign Languages.
Possible future job availability: international marketing manager, global supply chain manager, international trade specialist, foreign service officer, global business consultant, and more.

Marketing

One of the most creative types of business majors is Marketing. This discipline addresses the strategies and techniques people use to promote and sell products or services. Students learn how to identify target audiences, create effective advertising campaigns, and analyze consumer behavior. Quality marketing is crucial for businesses to reach their customers and achieve their objectives.

Best universities to study Marketing in the US: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Pennsylvania, University of Texas at Austin, and many others.
Typical coursework: Principles of Marketing, Consumer Behavior, Advertising and Promotion, Digital Marketing, Market Analysis, Product Management, and Marketing Strategy.
Possible future jobs: marketing manager, advertising manager, market research analyst,
product manager, digital marketing specialist, and more.

different types of business majors

Project Management

The Project Management degree provides learners with the competence to effectively initiate, plan, execute, and close projects across various industries. Project managers are responsible for guaranteeing that projects are completed on time, within scope, and on budget. The discipline focuses on project management methodologies, leadership, and communication.

Best universities to study Project Management in the US: City University of Seattle, Saint Louis University, University of Kansas, Arizona State University, etc.
Typical courses: Project Planning and Scheduling, Risk Management, Cost and Budget Management, Stakeholder Communication, and Agile and Scrum Methodologies.
Possible future jobs for employment: project manager, program manager, portfolio manager, scrum master, and quality assurance manager.

Types of internships for business majors include:

1. Marketing and Sales Internships
2. Financial and Accounting Internships
3. Human Resources Internships
4. Management and Leadership Internships
5. Supply Chain and Logistics Internships
6. Consulting and Small Business Strategy Internships
7. Entrepreneurship and Startup Internships
8. Data Analytics and Business Intelligence Internships
9. Public Relations and Communication Internships
10. Nonprofit and Social Impact Internships

You can find suitable business internship openings on such websites as https://www.fastweb.com/ and https://www.indeed.com/. Just visit the site you like better and choose the appropriate internship category.

Different Types of Business Majors with the Highest Salaries: Top 3 Options in 2023

So, we’ve come to the issue of salary, which is the ultimate goal of choosing types of majors in business, right? Here, we again decided to turn to a reputable source that we can trust for information. In its annual rating, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) insists that the following three business degrees are the highest-paying in the United States.

Finance

One of the types of business majors with promising salaries is Finance. There is some important information for high school students who want to connect their future career with this particular field:

Projected growth in the next ten years: 11.5%
Unemployment rate: 3.4%
Average salary: $86,569

Benefits Disadvantages
  • Lucrative careers
  • Diverse job opportunities
  • Financial literacy
  • Competitive industry
  • Intensive workload
  • Ongoing learning

Accounting

One of the incredibly attractive and promising types of business majors in college is an Accounting degree. The main indicators related to this specialization are:

Projected growth in the next ten years: 11.5%
Unemployment ratio: 3.2%
Average salary: $94,153

Benefits Disadvantages
  • Job stability
  • Diverse career paths
  • Strong earning potential
  • Exam requirements
  • Repetitive tasks
  • Constant education

Business administration/management

Different types of business majors offer different benefits. Business administration/management, with a projected job growth of 6%, is more than promising as a future degree.

Projected growth in the next ten years: 6%
Unemployment ratio: 3.5%
Average salary: $90,031

Benefits Disadvantages
  • Versatile skill set
  • Entrepreneurial opportunities affordability
  • Global business insight
  • Competitive field
  • Long working hours
  • Ethical dilemmas

We hope that our article has fully answered the question, “What are the different types of business majors?” and provided you with all the information you need on this topic.

*Disclaimer: All information about different types of majors in business and their salaries is taken from open sources and may change over time. The site administration is not responsible for its reliability and relevance.

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Rebecca Jenkins
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Rebecca has been a freelance writer since 2010. She travels often and is constantly learning something new. Also, Rebecca is a true enthusiast of social sciences, especially of psychology. She gladly shares her experience of enjoying life and finding inspiration across the US and abroad.
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