Earning a BSBA leads to better pay and career opportunities
What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in business administration (BSBA)? The BSBA is useful both as a standalone degree and as preparation for further graduation education, especially the Master of Business Administration (MBA).
The most common and highest-paying jobs held by BSBA graduates
Based on salary day from PayScale, some of the most common career tracks for current BSBA holders include:
- Financial controller
- Operations manager
- Human resources director/manager
- Business analyst
These occupations are generally in high demand; plus, they offer compensation packages that mostly exceed the national median wage.
Financial occupations
For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has estimated that its broad category financial managers – which encompasses controllers, comptrollers and anyone who oversees the financial health of a company – would see 7 percent growth in employment between 2014 to 2024, adding more than 37,000 positions in that time. Moreover, the 2016 median salary for this sector was $121,750, more than double the U.S. median.
HR occupations
Executive-level positions in HR, such as human resources managers and directors, are expected to see even faster growth in the years ahead. The BLS projects 9 percent growth from 2014 to 2024 because of the formation of new businesses and the need for these firms to comply with a variety of laws when managing employee benefits and interactions. An HR manager in such a role can expect to make a median salary of $106,190 per year.
A BSBA is great preparation for a career as a financial manager.Analytical occupations
Business and management analysts, also known as consultants, scrutinize a firm’s performance and look for ways to make it more profitable, through some combination of cost reductions and revenue increases. A candidate with a BSBA as well as the Certified Management Consultant designation is in an excellent position to pursue the rapidly expanding number of jobs in this field. The BLS foresees much faster than average growth – 14 percent – for the management analyst category from 2014 to 2024.
“Business and financial careers have an excellent employment outlook.”
Overall, business and financial careers have an excellent employment outlook, with 8 percent expected growth between 2014 and 2024. The 2016 median salary for occupations under this umbrella was $66,530, compared to $37,040 for all occupations. Management positions had an even higher median, at $100,790 in May 2016.
The advantage of an online BSBA
With these prospects in front of them, it is important for students to choose a BSBA program that gives them the best preparation for success. A top-notch online program will cover the same breadth and depth of material as a traditional one, while offering greater flexibility in scheduling and completion time.
When searching for a BSBA program, look for one that has been accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). The IACBE focuses on outcomes, rather than prescriptive standards, for business education, and it has awarded special accreditation to the BSBA track at Gwynedd Mercy University.
The GMercyU online BSBA with a concentration in organizational management provides comprehensive background in modern management practices, covering topics in the following areas:
- Accounting and finance
- HR
- Marking principles
- Customer service
- Presentation and communication
Classes are completed one at a time, in 5-week blocks, as part of an accelerated format; 120 credits are ultimately needed for graduation. This wide-ranging coursework culminates in a seminar that synthesizes all the key concepts covered throughout the concentration.
Since it can be completed online and more quickly than a traditional bachelor’s degree, the BSBA is ideal for students who also have commitments to full-time work and family. Experienced staff also ensure that students get everything they need to succeed: When asked what she liked best about her time at GMercyU, BSBA student Rasha Heath stated that “That staff is very approachable and easy to get along with.”
Get started on the track to a BSBA today
Whether you are earning a BSBA for entry into any of the lucrative jobs we have discussed here or as a precursor to an MBA, GMercyU has plenty to offer. Learn more today about how you can begin your journey to a BSBA by visiting the program overview page, where you can also contact an enrollment counselor for additional information.
