Data Summary
Workers with a business degree earned a median annual wage of $75,000 in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
How much you can earn with a business degree will vary considerably depending on your occupation, experience, industry, and location.
Most careers in business and finance require at least a bachelor's degree.
Business is one of the most popular majors and one of the least regretted — and for various reasons.
Business students typically develop skills in areas such as analytics, problem-solving, management, marketing, and finance. Depending on their major or concentration, graduates may pursue careers in finance, marketing, human resources, operations, sales, project management, and other areas.
Many of those occupations also offer above-average pay. According to the BLS, business and finance professionals had a median salary of $80,920 a year in May 2024, compared with $49,500 across all occupations.
However, how much you can earn alone does not determine whether a business degree is worth it. In this guide, we'll look at potential salaries, career opportunities, degree costs, and other factors that can help you decide whether a business degree is right for you.
Is an Undergraduate Business Degree Worth It? Cost, Time, and ROI
A business degree can be a worthwhile investment, but whether it's worth it or not depends on how much you spend to earn it and what you expect to earn after you graduate.
The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity calculated the return on investment (ROI) for college programs across 21 categories of majors. Business programs had a median ROI of about $258,000. In other words, the typical program was estimated to increase a student's lifetime earnings by about $258,000 after accounting for tuition and other college costs, as well as earnings lost while enrolled.
That suggests business degrees can pay off financially. But the median does not mean every program — or every student — will see the same return.
Consider Degree Cost and Potential Student Loan Debt
The cost of a business degree can vary widely by school, making price an important part of determining whether a program is worth the investment.
A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that the average cost of college is more expensive at private universities than at in-state public schools. According to the College Board, average published tuition and fees were $11,950 per year at public four-year in-state colleges in 2025, compared with $45,000 at private nonprofit four-year colleges.
Keep in mind that you may actually pay less after grants and scholarships, but if you take out student loans, this will reduce your earning potential until they're paid off.
That makes potential student loan debt an important part of the ROI calculation. According to the College Board, 47% of the 2023-2024 graduates with a bachelor's degree from public and private nonprofit 4-year institutions held an average debt of $29,560.
Costs
$11,950
Average Yearly Cost: Public 4-year, in-state(2025)
$45,000
Average Yearly Cost: Private, non-profit(2025)
Gains
$68,644
BBA Mean Starting Salary (Class of 2024)
$95,399
MBA Mean Starting Salary (Class of 2024)
Source: CollegeBoard, NACE
Consider The Earnings You Give Up While Completing the Degree
Bachelor's degree programs typically take about four years to complete. If attending school means reducing your work hours or leaving the workforce entirely, you may miss out on opportunities to earn income or gain hand-on experience during that time.
That opportunity cost is another factor to consider when weighing a business degree's potential return. Some programs may make it easier to continue working while you study. For instance, many online business programs are asynchronous, meaning you don't have to attend live, virtual classes — although you'll still have due dates for assignments.
You can also consider an accelerated business degree, particularly if you already have previous college credits. These programs often take less than two years to complete, but they require a heavier workload that could be challenging to manage while working.
Potential Salary and Return on Investment
It's important to remember that your potential salary witha business degree depends on your employer, locations, and years of experience.
That said, the Winter 2026 Salary Survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that graduates with business degrees are projected to have a 5.5% salary increase, bringing the average to $68,873 (from $65,276 in 2025). Further, the overall salaries for entry-level jobs in business administration, management and marketing showed projected increases of 8.3%, 8.4% and 8.5%, respectively.
Why Get a Business Degree?
When it comes down to it, the decision around getting a business degree comes down to your specific career goals. Still, here are some factors to consider:
There's high demand for business degree graduates.
According to a report by NACE, half of the top ten in-demand degrees for the class of 2025 are business-related, such as finance, accounting, and business administration. And the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an average of 942,500 new job openings in business and financial occupations from 2024 to 2034.
Business salaries are competitive, especially when you have a graduate degree.
Historical data shows that careers in business and finance tend to have high earning potential. — and this can increase for those who go to graduate school. NACE's 2024 First Destinations findings show that business graduates with a master's degree make 39% more than their undergraduate counterparts.
Business and finance jobs typically require at least a bachelor's degree.
Twenty-three of the 24 business and finance occupations listed by the BLS list a bachelor's degree as part of the entry-level requirements. And, even if an employer doesn't list a bachelor's degree as a requirement, having one usually makes you a more competitive candidate.
Business programs teach versatile skills.
Business students can choose from majors such as business administration, human resources, marketing, finance, accounting, and sales. While each focuses on a different area, many business programs also develop transferable skills in leadership, communication, problem-solving, data analysis, and decision-making. These skills can apply across a wide range of industries and roles.
Additionally, some business schools offer dual degree that let students combine business with another field. Depending on the school, options may include engineering, international studies, healthcare, technology, or the life sciences.
Business degrees provide many networking opportunities.
Networking can be an important part of building a career in business. Depending on the school, you may be able to connect with classmates, professors, and employers through alumni networks, student organizations, career fairs, internships, mentorship programs, and other events.
These relationships can help you learn about industries and career paths, find job opportunities, and develop professional connections before you graduate.
Business Graduate Salaries by School
Regardless of major, your choice of institution can be a significant factor in your career outcomes — and business is no exception.
While attending an elite institution isn't a guarantee of high salaries over the course of your career, access to these schools' recruiting pipelines, exclusive alumni networks, and prestigious name-brand recognition can contribute.
The salary figures below reflect outcomes across many graduates and should be viewed as benchmarks rather than predictions. Your own earnings and ROI will depend on factors such as your role, location, industry, and the cost of your degree.
Schools with the Highest Earnings
Students in the Business Administration, Management and Operations programs at the following institutions had the highest median earnings four years post graduation.
| School | Median Total Federal Debt | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University | $23,250 | $170,783 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Not reported | $147,384 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | $19,000 | $144,654 |
| University of California-Berkeley | $11,300 | $144,599 |
| University of Pennsylvania | $20,348 | $136,806 |
Source: College Scorecard
Did You Know…
There's more than one type of undergraduate business degree.
Colleges offer several types of undergraduate business degrees, and the curriculum can vary by school.
A bachelor of business administration (BBA) typically provides a broad foundation in areas such as management, economics, marketing, accounting, and finance.
Other options may include:
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA): Often places greater emphasis on quantitative or technical coursework, such as statistics, analytics, and data-driven decision-making.
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (BABA): Typically combines core business coursework with greater flexibility to study another subject, such as sociology, international studies, or a foreign language.
And more than one business accreditation.
There are several accreditation agencies that are business school-specific:
AACSB: The longest-standing business accreditation, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business evaluates the school's faculty, curricula, and programs. Only 6% of business schools worldwide hold this accreditation.
ACBSP: The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs emphasizes teaching and applied knowledge. The organization also accredits 2-year institutions like community colleges. There are approximately 1,200 ACBSP-accredited programs across 60 countries.
IACBE: The International Accreditation Council for Business Education accredits over 2,000 business, management and accounting programs for 200+ member institutions in 20 countries around the world.
Triple Accreditation or Triple Crown Accreditation: This is the simultaneous accreditation by the three major international accrediting organizations, (AACSB in the U.S., AMBA in the U.K. and EQUIS in Belgium). According to MBA Today, only 149 institutions hold a triple accreditation as of 2026.
