A bachelor’s degree in business is one of the most versatile degrees a student can get, as business practices and principles apply to nearly all industries. Business majors also develop many valuable skills, including communication, analytical thinking, budgeting, leadership, project management, and more.
The difficulty level of a business degree program varies based on several factors, including the specific area of study, the program curriculum, and a student’s individual skills and aptitudes. To help students find the program that best fits their needs, Intelligent.com compiled this list of the easiest business degrees. This article also explores different types of business degrees, what to expect in a business degree program, and how to choose the business degree program that’s right for you.
Types of Business Degrees
Business administration
A bachelor’s degree in business administration prepares students to handle the day-to-day tasks related to operating a business. The coursework in this degree program helps students develop an understanding of the processes that contribute to a successful business, including accounting, communication, project management, human resources, and more. A bachelor’s in business administration can be a good fit for students who excel in collaboration and focusing on individual tasks.
Business management
Students who have an aptitude for leadership, strategizing, and multi-tasking may find that a business degree with a management focus suits them well. This degree program teaches students about the high-level tasks essential for managing an efficient, profitable business, including supervising staff, understanding budgets, communicating effectively, and delegating responsibilities. Coursework focuses on a range of topics, including finance, strategic management, human resources, marketing, and more.
Accounting
In a business context, accounting focuses on how a company reports and communicates its financial information, both internally and externally. There are two types of accounting: managerial accounting, which focuses on internal accounting processes, and financial accounting, which aggregates financial data for internal and external use. Students who choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in accounting should have an aptitude for math and data analysis and excellent attention to detail.
Finance
Students who earn a bachelor’s degree in finance will be prepared to help companies and organizations manage their money in smart, responsible ways. Coursework covers how to analyze and create financial reports, make wise investment decisions, calculate risk, and manage financial resources. This can be an ideal degree option for students who are good with numbers, data analysis, and decision-making.
Marketing
A bachelor’s degree in marketing might be a good fit for students who enjoy communicating, strategizing, and understanding the psychology of what motivates people to support a product or service. Students will study consumer behavior, market research and analysis, branding strategy, and how to advertise on a variety of platforms. Marketing is a versatile business degree, as every industry employs marketing professionals to ensure their products and services connect with consumers.
Human resources
Human resource professionals act as liaisons between employers and employees in nearly every industry. Earning a bachelor’s degree in human resources can prepare students for various roles, including recruiters, benefits coordinators, training and development specialists, and more. This is an ideal degree for individuals who enjoy working with people, have strong communication skills, and are detail-oriented.
Project management
Individuals with strong project management skills are in demand across many industries, as they help businesses plan and execute projects in an efficient and organized way. A bachelor’s degree in project management may be a good fit for students who are strong leaders and collaborators, and have an aptitude for planning, communicating, and strategic thinking. Coursework in project management degree programs covers topics like budgeting, scheduling, logistics, and more.
Entrepreneurship
For students who aspire to start their own businesses, a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship will help them develop an understanding of the complex responsibilities of a business owner. Coursework covers business planning, market analysis, financial management, innovation, strategic management, and more. These programs may also offer students an opportunity to incubate their business ideas before launching companies in the real world. Students who plan to pursue a degree in entrepreneurship should be adept at leadership, decision-making, and critical thinking.
Easiest Business Degree Programs
How we rank schools
This list features some of the easiest business degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for postsecondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and student resources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of easiest business degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
What to Expect from a Business Degree Program
The most common bachelor’s degree for business majors is a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), although some programs may award a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA). These programs require a minimum of 120 credits and include a mix of business-focused coursework and general education requirements.
Specific coursework varies based on a student’s particular area of study, although most programs start with a core curriculum that introduces key business principles and practices such as accounting, marketing, communication, management, and ethics. Students usually complete these courses within the first two years of the program before moving on to intermediate-level coursework in their area of focus.
Another common component of business degree programs is an internship, where students get hands-on experience in a professional business setting. Depending on the program, students may also be required to complete a capstone project synthesizing the theoretical and practical knowledge they gained in their program.
How to prepare for a business degree program
Being successful in a business degree program, and in the field of business, requires a variety of skills that students can begin developing even before they enroll. Communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and leadership are all necessary in business, regardless of a student’s area of focus.
For high school students, participating in organizations like Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) can help them develop these skills, become familiar with how businesses operate, and determine which area of business suits their interests and aptitudes best. Participation in FBLA or other student business organizations can also help boost students’ applications to undergraduate business degree programs.
Individuals interested in pursuing a business degree should have a strong background in math, English, economics, and computer science.
Potential courses you’ll take in a business degree program
- Business Ethics: Provides students with the opportunity to learn about ethical decision-making in business organizations by examining moral values, ethical philosophies, organizational factors, and the role they play in the principles and practices of business.
- Principles of Management: Examines the fundamental concepts, theories, principles, and techniques of management by integrating classical and modern perspectives with real-world experiences.
- Business Policy and Strategy: Emphasizes research and analysis of external and internal forces that impact the organization and strategic success, as well as action-implementing tools that are used to integrate the organization’s scope, strategies, and policies.
- Business Communication: Provides theory and practice of written skills needed in business through models, concepts, and case studies relevant to the workplace while addressing business ethics and diversity issues.
What Can You Do with a Degree in Business?
Business positions typically require a bachelor’s degree, which provides the necessary education for most students to enter the field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment in business and financial occupations will grow at a faster-than-average pace through 2032, with an estimated 911,400 new job openings per year during that time period.
While many business graduates go on to work for established companies, this degree also helps prepare students to start their own business ventures, opening up additional employment opportunities.
An undergraduate business degree also provides a solid foundation for students who want to continue their education with a graduate degree. Earning an advanced degree, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), can give students the additional training they need to pursue management and executive positions in the corporate world.
Career outlook
- Management analysts — Recommend ways to improve an organization’s efficiency by advising managers on how to make organizations more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues.
- Median annual salary: $99,410
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 10%
- New jobs projected: 92,900 per year
- Human resources specialists — Handle a variety of human resource-related tasks, including recruiting, screening, and interviewing job applicants, compensation and benefits, employee training, and employee relations.
- Median annual salary: $67,650
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 6%
- New jobs projected: 78,700 per year
- Financial analysts — Guide businesses and individuals in decisions about expending money to attain profit by assessing the performance of stocks, bonds, and other types of investments.
- Median annual salary: $99,010
- Project employment growth (through 2032): 8%
- New jobs projected: 27,400 per year
How to Choose the Business Degree That’s Right For You
Consider your needs and goals
While finding the easiest business degrees may be your priority, there are other important factors to consider when deciding what type of business degree is right for you.
First, think about the specific area of business you’re interested in studying. Some programs may allow students to enroll without selecting a specialization, while others ask students to apply directly to a particular area of study, such as finance, marketing, or human resources. Consider your interests and career goals to help you identify which area of business is right for you.
Think about logistical needs as well. Can you attend a program with classes that meet on weekdays during daytime hours, or would a program with evening and weekend classes fit better into your schedule? Are you able to accommodate a fully in-person program, or would a hybrid or online program be more accessible? Are you willing to move to a different location to attend an in-person program, or are you concentrating your search on programs that are available in your local area?
Research schools and programs
To learn more about the easiest business degree programs, visiting schools’ websites is an excellent place to start. Most institutions publish program information on their websites, including curriculum, internship requirements, faculty, tuition, and admissions requirements. You can also contact the school directly to speak to a program representative or admissions counselor if you have questions. Attending in-person or virtual open houses or information sessions can also be a helpful way to learn more about whether a program is a good fit.
Verifying a school’s accreditation status is essential, as this can impact your eligibility for financial aid, future employment, and further educational opportunities. U.S. institutions can be regionally or nationally accredited, with regional accreditation being the more widely recognized accreditation status. Agencies like the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) also offer accreditation specifically to business-related degree programs. You can confirm a school’s accreditation status and program through the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s database.
Asking the following questions while researching schools can help you determine which programs are a good fit:
- What does the program’s curriculum include? How does it align with your interests and goals?
- Who are the faculty members? What are their qualifications?
- Are there internship requirements or other experiential learning components?
- What networking opportunities are available to students?
- What support services does the institution offer students, including tutoring, tech support, and mental health care?
- What scholarship and financial aid opportunities are available?
Determine how you’ll pay for your business degree
Throughout your research and selection process, collect information about how much the program’s tuition is and what financial aid resources are available to students. You can likely find this information on the school’s website or by contacting a financial aid representative at the institution.
Undergraduate students can access need-based aid like student loans, grants, work-study, and scholarships by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students can also explore merit-based financial awards like scholarships and grants from their institutions or external organizations.
Students planning to work while earning their business degree should also inquire about tuition assistance benefits with their employer.