Is a Business Management Degree Worth It?

Companies and organizations of all sizes need managers to lead various divisions, departments, teams, and projects. That’s why you’ll find business manager positions spanning functions from operations and finance to marketing and sales.

There are many paths to becoming a business manager, including working your way up within a company or industry, pursuing professional development opportunities, or earning a specialized degree or certificate.

But is a business management degree worth it? To help you answer that question, we’ll explore various business manager career opportunities, including demand and salary information.

Is Business Management a Good Career? 

The outlook for business management careers is positive. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in all management occupations is expected to grow by 9% between 2020 and 2030.

It’s also worth noting that a business management degree can also serve as preparation for careers and positions that aren’t necessarily labeled “manager.” This means there are many professional opportunities waiting in a range of industries, companies of all sizes, and business units and functions of all kinds.

Benefits of a Business Management Degree

Earning a business management degree offers several advantages that can make it a worthwhile investment, particularly for professionals seeking flexibility, advancement, and long-term career stability.

Career Versatility Across Industries

One of the biggest benefits of a business management degree is its versatility. The skills you gain can be applied across industries such as healthcare, technology, finance, retail, hospitality, and more. Rather than limiting you to a single career path, a business management degree opens doors to a wide range of roles and functions.

Strong Demand for Management and Leadership Skills

Organizations consistently seek professionals who can lead teams, manage projects, and drive strategic initiatives. As businesses grow and evolve, the need for skilled managers remains strong, making management-focused education a valuable asset in today’s job market.

Competitive Earning Potential

Management-related roles tend to offer higher-than-average salaries compared to many entry-level or individual contributor positions. A business management degree can help position you for roles with greater responsibility — and greater earning potential — over time.

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Business management programs emphasize skills that employers consistently rank as critical, including communication, problem-solving, leadership, decision-making, and collaboration. These transferable skills are valuable in nearly any professional setting and can help future-proof your career.

Foundation for Career Advancement and Further Education

A business management degree can serve as a stepping stone to leadership roles, promotions, or graduate-level education such as an MBA or specialized master’s degree. For many professionals, it provides the academic foundation needed to move into higher-level positions.
 

Business Management Careers: What Does a Business Manager Do? 

One of the strongest arguments for why a business management degree is worth it is the breadth of careers it can support.  The list of possible careers with a business management degree is seemingly endless, which also means it’s an exciting time to pursue a career in this vast field. Let’s take a look at just a few popular careers within the greater world of business management.

• Human Resources
  Within the umbrella of human resource management, you’ll find a range of specializations, including recruiting, training, compliance, and payroll. A degree in business management, especially one that offers specialized courses in HR, can prepare you for a variety of roles related to onboarding and retaining employees.
• Sales and Marketing
  Within the sales, marketing, and overall business development realm, there’s a variety of roles that might benefit from a business management background. These could include working as a sales representative/account manager, spearheading sales operations, overseeing marketing campaigns, or even managing the sales team.
• Operations and Logistics
  Getting things from Point A to Point B is becoming more sophisticated than ever before. The continual rise of ecommerce, plus the ever-expanding distribution of national and global brands, has led to demand for supply chain management professionals at every level. Especially in sectors like transportation, retail, packaged consumer goods, agriculture, and energy you can find business management careers with a logistics focus.
• Project Management
  An increasingly in-demand skill, project management has become a career field in its own right. While you’ll find project manager positions available in a host of industries, some of the most common include software development firms, information technology companies, and digital marketing and advertising agencies.

Again, these are but a few examples. Business management is an incredibly versatile field, and you’re likely to find plenty of opportunities that fit your personal and professional interests.

Business Management Salary: How Much Do Business Managers Make? 

Salary potential is another important factor when considering whether a business management degree is worth it. Since business managers can work in such a wide range of industries and positions, the data surrounding business management salaries is also broad. 

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary in 2024 for management-related occupations includes:

• Administration services managers, $106,880
• Financial managers, $161,700
• Food service managers, $65,310
• Human resources managers, $140,030
• Lodging managers, $68,130
• Medical and health services managers, $117,960
• Property, real estate, and community association managers, $66,700
• Sales managers, $138,060
• Training and development managers, $127,090

The BLS doesn’t often track emerging roles or ultra-specific positions; however, career website Indeed shares some of its salary data (as of February 2022) on positions related to business management, including:

• Account executive, $69,354
• Business consultant, $72,969
• Client services manager, $58,600
• Data analyst, $74,377
• Logistics manager, $67,189
• Management analyst, $77,576
• Office manager, $52,312
• Project manager, $84,531
• Sales representative, $69,403
   

It’s important to note these figures are national averages; actual pay will depend on geography, sector, company, and, of course, your experience, education, and specific duties and responsibilities.

Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management 

For many professionals, earning a bachelor’s degree in business management helps formalize experience, expand leadership skills, and unlock opportunities that may be difficult to access without a degree. 

A bachelor’s degree in business management introduces you to a broad range of skills and knowledge you’ll need to start or grow your business manager career. You’ll not only take core business and management classes, but you’ll also delve deeper into topics like creativity, communication, conflict management, marketing, and even human behavior. Beyond what you’ll learn, it’s important to also consider how you will learn.

Benefits of an Online Business Management Degree

Earning a bachelor’s degree in business management online offers several advantages for working adults who want to advance their careers without putting their lives on hold.

Flexible Learning for Working Professionals

Earning a bachelor’s degree in business management online provides a way for busy professionals to build new skills while continuing to focus on their careers and personal responsibilities. Online programs allow students to balance coursework with full-time work, family obligations, and other commitments.

Accelerated, Manageable Course Formats

In a high-quality online program, coursework can be academically rigorous while remaining manageable. At Champlain College Online (CCO), programs are divided into short, seven-week terms, allowing students to stay focused, maintain momentum, and progress steadily toward their degree.

24/7 Access to Coursework and Support

Online students benefit from around-the-clock access to course materials, making it easier to study on their own schedule. Many programs also offer robust student support services, ensuring learners have help when they need it.

Immediate Application of Skills on the Job

Attending a business management program designed for working adults allows students to apply what they are learning in real time. Concepts related to leadership, communication, project management, and strategy can often be used immediately in a current role.

Learning Alongside Experienced Peers

Online business management programs often attract students with diverse professional backgrounds. Learning alongside peers who bring real-world experience into the classroom can enrich discussions, provide new perspectives, and strengthen professional networks.

Finding a Business Management Specialty

As noted earlier, business managers are found in an incredibly wide range of industries, sectors, levels, and positions. Specialization can benefit you in many ways, such as opening you up to new opportunities and increasing your marketability.

If you’re coming to business management from another field, you might already bring some unique subject matter expertise with you. For example, maybe you’ve worked in customer-facing positions or have a background in information technology and now desire to move into the business aspect of things. On the other hand, maybe you’ve held entry-to-mid-level business-related roles, but you want to take that experience to advance your career in a new-to-you field.

CCO’s bachelor’s of business management offers specialized tracks in a variety of in-demand areas, including:

• Business Development & Sales
• Healthcare Administration
• Human Resource Management
• Information Technology
• Marketing
• Project Management

The subject matter expertise you’d develop in concentration areas like these can open doors to more specific roles, some of which are especially in-demand or have higher earning potential.

Take the Next Step With an Online Business Management Degree

If you’ve been weighing whether a business management degree is worth it, exploring an online program can help you turn possibility into progress. Champlain College Online’s Bachelor’s in Business Management is designed for working adults, offering flexible, career-focused coursework and specialized tracks that align with today’s in-demand skills. 

Contact us today to learn how earning your degree online can help you build leadership capabilities, expand your career options, and move forward with confidence.