by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 2,874 U.S. colleges awarded 884,149 degrees and certificates in Business, Management & Marketing. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 46% of graduates. College Factual ranks 2,458 schools in its 2027 Best Business, Management & Marketing Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $59,766 one year after completing, rising to $77,005 after four years.
The business world fuels our economy. The flow of markets and different industries has created technological innovations that allow us to live certain lifestyles. Where would you be without energy that heats your home, a smartphone that allows you to be connect, and a car to get you to your favorite restaurant? Business, whether giant corporations or local stores, allow you the lifestyle you enjoy. Picking a major in the field of Business, Management and Marketing will allow you to study all aspects of the business world in order to engage in it yourself.
A major in the business field will teach students about the process of to buying, selling, producing and marketing goods. In addition you will learn how to manage others and promote products and services. Students will learn the techniques and principles of business for the workplace.
There are many different majors within this field. Students who are more interested in math and finance might consider a major in Accounting, while those who love interacting with people should consider a major in General Sales & Marketing or Hospitality Management. There are many more options to those interested in the Business field. Most of these majors are offered as a Bachelor degree, however some might be available as an Associate degree in some colleges.
A degree in Business, Management & Marketing explores Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services. Instructional Programs That Prepare Individuals To Perform Managerial, Technical Support, And Applied Research Functions Related To The Operation Of Commercial And Non-Profit Enterprises And The Buying And Selling Of Goods And Services.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, business, management & marketing is a popular field of study, with 884,149 degrees awarded annually. 2,874 colleges award business, management & marketing degrees, an average of 308 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 16,706.
By level, the 884,149 awards include 18,538 certificates, 110,800 associate degrees, 408,719 bachelor’s degrees, 333,504 master’s degrees and 5,059 doctorates.
Women earned 50% of business, management & marketing degrees and certificates in the latest year (445,405 of 884,149). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (416,241) and Hispanic or Latino (153,105), and international students earned 66,753.
College Factual ranks 2,458 schools in its 2027 Best Business, Management & Marketing Schools ranking, including 964 for associate degrees, 1,518 for bachelor’s degrees, 1,092 for master’s degrees and 117 for doctorates. It also ranks business, management & marketing schools within 54 states. In all, 2,874 colleges offer business, management & marketing programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common business, management & marketing credential is the bachelor’s degree: 408,719 of the 884,149 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to business, management & marketing call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Customer and Personal Service and Administration and Management, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
In order to be successful in Business there are different skills that are needed. Efficient communicators are required in order to build relationships with clients and co-workers. Whether written or oral, communication is key skill for any business major.
People who are problem solvers and creative thinkers also do well in this field. You should also work on your time management and organizational skills in order to finish all projects on time and graduate with a good GPA.
In some programs, internships are required in order to gain experience. In addition, students will benefit from work experience in retail, customer service or any other job that requires interaction with people. There is opportunity to gain a Master in some programs, if you decide to further your education.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a business, management & marketing degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 18,538 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 110,800 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 408,719 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 333,504 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5,059 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to business, management & marketing, at 40.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 40.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 16.6% |
| Master’s degree | 11.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 9.0% |
| Some college courses | 8.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 4.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
30 occupations are related to Business, Management & Marketing, with an average median salary of $85,014; the strongest outlook belongs to Sustainability Specialists, at 14.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Administrative Coordinator, College Professor, Professor and Assistant Professor.
There are many different opportunities for graduates with business degrees. The industries you can enter into are almost limitless. Some examples are fashion, food, military industry, education, hotels, manufacturers, and more.
Some of the career fields graduates enter into are Human Resource Manager, Sales Worker Supervisor, Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations Manager, Credited Public Accountant, and Economist. The need for many of these positions is increasing. Students have good opportunities to find work after graduating. Internships and work experience will make you more even more hirable.
The occupation related to business, management & marketing with the most projected jobs is Cargo and Freight Agents, at 2,161,434.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo and Freight Agents | 2,161,434 | 8.2% |
| Customer Service Representatives | 2,156,323 | 9.4% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 1,904,234 | -0.4% |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 1,827,394 | -3.9% |
| Freight Forwarders | 1,509,563 | 0.3% |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | 1,332,640 | 6.0% |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,328,652 | -4.2% |
| Order Clerks | 1,247,994 | -0.5% |
Business, Management & Marketing graduates earn a median $59,766 one year after completing their program, $77,005 after four years and $72,308 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $59,766 |
| 4 years | $77,005 |
| 5 years | $72,308 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to business, management & marketing is Loss Prevention Managers, with a median salary of $165,723.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Geothermal Production Managers | $160,381 |
| Chief Executives | $138,534 |
| Security Management Specialists | $128,654 |
| Financial Risk Specialists | $127,364 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $124,518 |
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | $118,242 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
Business, Management & Marketing includes 22 concentrations that together award 884,149 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Business Administration, Management and Operations (421,752), Accounting and Related Services (86,793) and Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (68,298). Browse the full list of college majors.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
