Have a question?

Chat with a live agent now.

Need help?

No thanks

Is a Business Degree Worth It?

By DeVry University

January 30, 2026
8 min read

If you’re thinking about college and find yourself wondering if a business degree is worth it, you’re in good company. Many prospective business students ask the same questions — how much time and money will it take, do I need to specialize more deeply, will a business degree really open doors to opportunity?

You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that business is the most popular undergraduate degree in the U.S., according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This is largely due to its versatility and the in-demand skills it teaches that apply across roles and industries. When paired with a management focus that emphasizes leadership development and career advancement, a business degree can be well worth it if you’re seeking a leadership role, career flexibility, and career growth opportunities.

In this blog, we’ll explore what a business management degree can offer, the types of roles it can prepare you for, and how to decide whether it aligns with your career goals.

Why is a business degree useful today?

A business degree is useful in today’s workforce because it offers flexibility and career options. The core business skills you learn — like understanding how organizations operate, managing resources, and making strategic decisions — can apply across a variety of industries from healthcare and technology to finance, marketing, and management. When paired with the opportunity to specialize in areas like management and leadership, this foundational knowledge can help you grow or pivot as your career evolves.

It’s also a field with positive growth and strong earning potential. While actual local growth may vary, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects business and financial occupations to grow faster than the average for all occupations nationwide from 2024 to 2034, with more than 940,000 jobs estimated each year. The combination of projected opportunity and broadly transferable skills is just one reason a business degree continues to be such a popular choice.

And when you study business management, you could increase your potential even more. Management programs emphasize communication, decision-making, leadership, and problem-solving — all skills that help prepare you to advance your career over time.

What can you do with a business management degree?

A business management degree plus experience in the field can open doors to roles where you lead teams, solve problems, and help organizations reach their goals.

Common career paths with a management focus include:

Analyst
Entrepreneur
HR manager
Operations manager
Project manager

In fact, in 2023, management roles were among the most common career paths for people with a business degree, according to BLS data, outpacing other business-related fields like accounting and sales.

A business management degree also gives you versatility and opportunities across other business areas, such as:

Accounting and financial services
Health services management
Human resource management
Project management
Sales and marketing

Exploring specific career paths can help you discover how a business management degree aligns with your career goals. And understanding where management skills are most valued can help you choose the business and management courses that prepare you for today’s workforce.

Growing fields for business management

The ability to lead teams, improve processes, and drive results are skills employers look for in a variety of business fields. According to BLS data, from 2024 to 2034, many management-related occupations are projected to grow across the nation at rates equal to or faster than the average 4% growth for most jobs.

While actual local growth may vary, these are some business management roles that are growing nationwide from 2024 to 2034, according to BLS:

Finance: Roles for financial managers are projected to grow 15%, potentially influenced by the need for strategic planning, risk management, budgeting, and financial oversight in an increasingly complex global economy.
Human resources: Employment of human resources managers is projected to grow 5% as organizations prioritize talent development, employee retention, and evolving workforce needs.
Marketing: Marketing manager roles are projected to grow 6%, with businesses relying on savvy professionals to reach customers through digital channels and develop effective pricing and promotion strategies.
Supply chain: Roles for logisticians — often known as supply chain managers or analysts — are projected to grow 17%, as businesses work to improve logistics efficiency and manage global supply chains.

Management-focused roles vs. general business roles

Although general business roles and management roles both rely on strong business skills, not all business jobs are the same. Management positions often involve overseeing people, projects, or departments. General business roles like administration often focus on supporting projects, analyzing data, or applying specialized skills within a team.

Here are some examples of job titles for management-focused roles and general business careers:

Management-focused roles	General business roles
General manager	Accountant
HR manager	Analyst
Operations manager	Operations specialist
Project manager	Project coordinator

Understanding the difference between business administration and business management paths can help you decide what type of degree program is the right fit for your career goals.

What skills do you gain in a business management program?

In a business management degree program, you gain skills like leadership, project management, and analytical thinking, along with practical experience in managing teams and business processes. The combination of hard and soft skills prepares you to succeed in a variety of roles across industries.

Hard skills for business

Hard skills give you the technical knowledge needed to analyze data, manage budgets, and manage projects. Relevant hard skills you may learn in a business management degree program include:

Accounting
Analytical reasoning
Budgeting
Data analysis
Financial forecasting
Marketing basics
Project management
Technology software and systems

Soft skills for business

Soft skills help you solve problems, communicate clearly, and lead teams. Some soft skills you can gain in a business management degree program include:

Communication
Creativity
Decision-making
Delegation
Leadership
Problem-solving
Time management

At DeVry, you’ll learn these essential business skills through an industry-aligned business management curriculum supported by hands-on projects, mentorship, and opportunities to build experience that goes beyond the classroom.

Is a management degree worth it for your career goals?

Many people — from those starting their education to those upskilling in their career — find a management degree worth it. And the data demonstrates the need: Management occupations are projected to grow faster than average from 2024 to 2034, with about 1.1 million job openings nationally each year, according to BLS data, though actual local growth can vary.

A business management degree can help you develop skills that many employers value, such as leadership, problem-solving, communication, and project management. These strengths are helpful in traditional management roles like HR manager, operations manager, or project manager, as well as broader business careers and entrepreneurship across a variety of industries.

What’s more, when you enroll in a business program aligned with industry needs and real career opportunities, you can boost your resume with a degree focused on the future of business.

How to make the most of your business management degree

Enrolling in a business management degree program is just the beginning. Building faculty and peer relationships, leveraging career resources, and gaining experience through practical projects and internships can help you build confidence, connections, and real-world skills.

Business management degree career outlook

Business management careers are evolving with the emergence of AI and the changing needs of industries around the globe. Here are some examples of how business management plays a role across fields like IT, healthcare, and more:

AI and automation: Managers who can integrate AI and automations into business strategy and operations help organizations improve efficiency and stay current in an evolving job market.
Digital transformation: Bridging IT initiatives with business needs is essential as organizations keep pace with systems, processes, and customer experiences.
Entrepreneurship: Driving innovation as part of an established organization or as an entrepreneur is an exciting path for many business leaders.
Global operations: In an increasingly global market, managers are needed to oversee cross-cultural teams and the complexities of international markets.
Healthcare and regulated industries: Navigating compliance, data, and complex systems is essential in highly regulated sectors like healthcare.
Hybrid and remote leadership: Effective managers are needed to lead distributed teams, foster collaboration, and maintain performance across remote work environments.
Sustainability and ESG (environmental, social, and governance): Balancing profitability with ethical and environmental goals is becoming more common as companies place greater emphasis on responsible business practices.

Take the lead in your career

A business management degree can open doors to leadership roles and opportunity. Our career-focused curriculum and transfer-friendly options can help you pursue your career goals.

Get started today

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to earn a business management degree?

Is a business management degree worth it?

What’s the difference between business administration and business management?

Is business a good major for the future?

Do you need a degree to become a manager?

What is business management in simple terms?

The information presented here is true and accurate as of the date of publication. DeVry’s programmatic offerings and their accreditations are subject to change. Please refer to the current academic catalog for details.

¹Normal time to complete: 4 years, assuming enrollment in 2 semesters per 12-month period. Minimum time to complete: 2 years, 8 months, assuming continuous year-round enrollment with no breaks in 3 semesters per 12-month period.