What’s the Best Bachelor’s Degree for an MBA?
Key Takeaways
- An undergraduate business degree is not necessary for pursuing an MBA in many programs.
- Common undergraduate majors for MBA students outside of business include marketing, history, and STEM.
- Some of the best MBA cohorts include learners from diverse academic backgrounds — getting a nonbusiness bachelor’s could actually improve your MBA journey.
There is no single best bachelor’s degree for a master of business administration (MBA) program. However, certain business-oriented degrees may help better prepare you for the leadership focus of an MBA.
A bachelor’s degree is generally required for most MBA programs, but it doesn’t have to be in business. In fact, the Stanford Graduate School of Business reported that more than half of its MBA class of 2026 came from nonbusiness backgrounds like engineering, social sciences, and the humanities.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in a related field can still be beneficial to your MBA experience by preparing you with fundamental business skills that any MBA program will build on. We’ve compiled a list of some of those degrees that can help you hit the ground running in an MBA program.
Top Undergraduate Degrees for an MBA
Business Administration
Business administration is probably the most “like” an MBA in terms of its content. You’ll get a broad overview of business fundamentals, including areas like marketing, business analytics, and more. You’ll also likely have room to specialize. A growing number of business schools are giving their undergraduate business administration degrees a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) focus. Job opportunities are as broad as the degree itself, and schools like the University of Michigan Ross School of Business have reported strong hiring rates for their graduates.
Economics
Economics is another core topic touched on in an MBA curriculum, and it’s a good option for any student who wants to pursue a graduate business degree. Statistics and analytics are a key part of any economics degree. That goes hand in hand with the current shift in MBA curricula toward analytics and other data-focused skills. An analytical and economic mindset can also help you when pursuing employment in the fast-growing business analytics industry after graduation.
Finance
Financial analysts are in high demand, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting faster-than-average growth in that lucrative industry from 2023-2033. A bachelor’s degree in finance can prepare you for those jobs and for financial instruction in an MBA program. In fact, many MBA programs offer concentrations in finance to help students lead in the fast-growing financial field.
Accounting
The accounting industry is in dire need of workers amid a certified public accountant (CPA) retirement cliff. A bachelor’s degree in accounting can help prepare you for junior-level accounting roles and for the pursuit of an MBA. Most MBA programs include instruction in accounting and finance. So walking into an MBA program with an accounting degree can be a plus. MBAs can also help count toward the 150 credits required to become a CPA, although master’s in accounting degrees tend to be more intentional about CPA preparation.
Marketing
Employers have indicated in previous research by the Graduate Management Admission Council that skills like strategic thinking and communication are important. A bachelor’s degree in marketing can help you polish those skill sets. A focus on communication, marketing, and branding is found throughout an MBA curriculum. Employment of market analysts and marketing managers is projected to grow through 2033, according to the BLS. MBA concentrations in marketing can help you further hone your marketing acumen and open up managerial opportunities after graduation.
Engineering
Engineering might not come to mind as an undergraduate degree that can lead to an MBA. However, as business education adopts more of an interdisciplinary tech focus, engineering is a major background of students in some top programs. More than 30% of students in the Stanford Graduate School of Business’ 2026 MBA class, for example, had a background in engineering. An engineering degree can help you pursue high-paying opportunities in the fast-growing engineering field as well as help prepare you for tech-focused MBA programs.
How to Choose the Right Bachelor’s Degree for Your MBA Goals
Identify Your Long-Term Career Goals
An MBA isn’t generally something you’ll pursue directly after you earn your bachelor’s. Top programs like Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management require two or more years of work experience before you can qualify for admission. Tailor your bachelor’s degree to the field you want to pursue, whether it’s related to business or in another field.
Consider Your Academic Strengths and Interests
Your performance will ultimately be more important than the degree you pursue for MBA admissions. Even at schools that don’t have a minimum GPA requirement, like the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, GPA is still a factor in admissions: The average undergraduate GPA of the Ross MBA class of 2026 was 3.42. Choose a bachelor’s degree that you’ll excel in and will lead to opportunities after graduation to maximize your chances of earning an MBA.
Evaluate the Skill Sets You Want to Build
More than ever, an MBA is an interdisciplinary degree. Business schools have moved to infuse artificial intelligence (AI) and other tech skills throughout their curricula. Employers have at the same time indicated that human skills like communication and strategic thinking are going to remain a top priority. Tailor your undergraduate degree to the skills that you want to use in your career, whether that’s an emphasis on analytics through a statistics degree or a broad business overview through a bachelor’s in business administration.
Think About Internships and Professional Experiences
Work experience is usually a requirement for an MBA. The average student at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, for instance, has worked five or six years between their college graduation and the start of their MBA program. Choose an undergraduate degree with an eye on the workforce if your long-term goal is an MBA.
Look at Common MBA Admissions Trends
A bachelor’s degree is generally required for most MBA programs, but it doesn’t have to be in business. In fact, the Stanford Graduate School of Business reported that more than half of its MBA class of 2026 came from nonbusiness backgrounds like engineering, social sciences, and the humanities. MBA programs tend to prioritize factors like work experience, your undergraduate performance, and other admissions requirements over the degree you pursued.
Frequently Asked Questions About MBA Programs
Earning an MBA is generally linked to increased salaries. In fact, an MBA can boost salaries by as much as 50% or more, according to previous research from BestColleges. MBAs can be expensive, however, and it might take years to see a return on your investment.
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