Ready To Start Your Online Education?

.....

First, we’ll quickly address the question that some of you may have: “Do I actually need a degree to work in business?”

The short answer is yes. Of the 21 categories of business and financial occupations listed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in their Occupational Outlook Handbook, all but one typically require a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions.

Is a Business Degree for Me?

Your time is valuable, so here’s the gist. Is a business degree worth it? Yes, but only if 

you’re willing to put in the work.

Starting a degree program is a big commitment. Working adults have limited time, especially when raising families, so it’s smart to do your research.

 Business degrees are appealing because they are some of the most flexible academic programs available, offering education in areas that are relevant for many different organizations. But they also require a significant investment in time and effort. Is a business degree worth it?

If you’re considering starting or moving up in a career in the business world, you likely are already familiar with the term “return on investment,” or ROI. Some students pursue business degrees because they think it’s the quickest route to a job with a higher salary. The reality is that the return they’re seeking – a more satisfying job with a higher salary – won’t come without some sort of investment.

If you’re not sure if it’s worth your time to sit and down and finish that application, here are some of the reasons why we believe business degrees are the worth it.

Favorable Job Market

Yes, You Need a Degree

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, business majors are in demand. Eight of the top 10 undergraduate majors sought by employers are categorized as business in the NACE Job Outlook 2018 survey.

Employment is also relatively stable for business graduates compared to other majors, according to a study by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce after the Great Recession in 2007-2009. Business majors have lower unemployment rates, especially those with work experience or graduate degrees, than many other majors.

Even though business majors are in demand, and unemployment rates are relatively low, it’s important to still put in the work and stand out as an applicant. A degree in business doesn’t guarantee a job. Thankfully, adult learners have the right kind of life experience and know how to find time to get things done.

Projected Salaries & Growth

Once you do find a job, it’s true that business degrees do generally result in high salaries. In this section, we’ll review data from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Note that the salary figures listed here are overall medians; entry-level salaries will typically be lower.

The median annual wage for business and financial occupations was $68,350 in May 2018, compared to $38,640 for all occupations. In the table below, we’ve included several occupations that align with Columbia Southern University business program concentrations, along with their median annual wages and projected job growth increases from 2016-2026. For reference, the average projected growth rate for all occupations from 2016-2026 is 7%.