Top careers for students majoring in business.

A business degree remains one of the most reliable investments you can make for long-term career growth and high earning potential.

In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), business and financial roles are expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations between 2024 and 2034. And the annual median wage for this group of jobs was $80,920 as of May 2024.

  1. Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
  2. Bachelor of Business Administration
  3. Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
  4. Bachelor of Science in Human Resources
  5. Bachelor of Science in Digital Marketing
  6. Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership

6 online business degrees and career opportunities

A business education isn't one-size-fits-all. To help you map your skills to the right path, we put together a breakdown of six versatile online business degrees offered at UMass Global, complete with the roles, industries, and career paths attached to each.

1. Bachelor of Science in Information Technology

Earning an online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology — offered in both self-paced and instructor-led formats — can set you up for success in nearly every industry. This is a great choice if you’re interested in business career paths that combine problem-solving, technology, and project management.

Throughout this program, you’ll gain real-world tech skills designed for immediate workplace impact. You’ll learn to leverage data for smarter decisions, lead complex projects, and solve the critical IT challenges that directly drive business performance. Courses you might take include:

  • Data Communications and Computer Networks
  • Data Encryptions and Information Security
  • Introduction to Programming
  • User Experience and Interaction Design

IT roles are in-demand and well-paid. According to the BLS, overall employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034. And the median annual wage for this group of jobs was $105,990 as of May 2024. Roles in the field include:

2. Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity

An online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity is a practical degree choice for those interested in protecting organizations from digital threats. The world’s information systems are complex, high-tech, and constantly evolving, and professionals who can secure data and infrastructure are in high demand.

In this program, you’ll gain a strong foundation in areas such as network security, risk management, ethical hacking, and incident response, along with broader knowledge of IT systems and organizational processes. You’ll learn to identify vulnerabilities, implement security best practices, and respond to cybersecurity events in a way that supports business continuity and strategic goals. Courses you might take include:

  • Digital Forensics and Incident Response
  • Introduction to Programming
  • Security Policies and Procedures
  • Web Design Technologies

The skills acquired in this program can help you qualify for job titles such as:

3. Bachelor of Business Administration

An online Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), available in both self-paced and instructor-led options, provides a broad foundation in core business disciplines such as:

  • Business Finance
  • Legal Environment of Business
  • Principles of Accounting
  • Principles of Macroeconomics
  • Strategic Management

A BBA offers maximum flexibility without sacrificing depth. You’ll master the universal fundamentals of business, from organizational dynamics and strategic decision-making to data analysis, equipping you to step into leadership roles across industries.

One major advantage of the BBA at UMass Global is the ability to customize electives to match your interests and career goals. You can select electives that deepen your knowledge in areas such as entrepreneurship, marketing, analytics, finance, or human resources, depending on the type of role you’re targeting. This flexibility allows you to shape a degree that aligns with the industry, and job functions you’re most excited about.

Graduates can pursue a wide variety of business roles that build on your chosen electives, including:

4. Bachelor of Science in Human Resources

A Bachelor of Science in Human Resources prepares you to build, lead, and support an organization's most valuable asset; its people. If you want a business career centered on talent acquisition, company culture, and employee satisfaction, this is one of the most high-impact majors you can pursue.

Beyond mastering core business essentials such as accounting, economics, and business law, you'll gain expertise across primary workforce functions such as recruitment, benefits, and employee relations. Courses you might take include:

  • Conflict Resolution
  • Labor Relations
  • Leadership in Diverse and Multicultural Organizations
  • Legal Issues in Human Resources
  • Workforce Planning and Employment

Because HR touches nearly every aspect of the employee lifecycle, graduates can pursue a variety of roles including:

5. Bachelor of Science in Digital Marketing

An online Bachelor of Science in Digital Marketing blends the analytical, technological, and creative aspects of modern marketing into one comprehensive curriculum. This is an ideal choice if you’re drawn to business career paths involving social media, content strategy, analytics, and customer engagement.

You’ll become fluent in the basics of business, advertising, digital strategy, and market research, with opportunities to apply your skills to real-world campaigns and projects while you’re still in school. Courses you might take include:

  • Advanced Content Creation
  • Consumer Behavior
  • Digital Marketing Ethics
  • Marketing Research
  • Social Media Strategy

Graduates might consider pursuing roles such as:

6. Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership

If your goal is to lead high-performing teams and shape corporate culture, a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership gives you the toolkit to do it. You’ll learn to diagnose complex workplace dynamics, engineer effective solutions, and align teams around a clear strategic vision.

You’ll take courses such as:

  • Organizational Communication
  • Organizational Development and Change
  • Leadership and Professional Ethics
  • Principles of Management
  • Research and Analytical Thinking

Higher levels of leadership naturally command higher compensation. An organizational leadership degree accelerates that upward trajectory by building universally valued executive skills that translate directly across every industry in roles such as:

Earn a business degree that works for you

Finding the right business major comes down to balancing your career goals with your real-world schedule. At UMass Global, our online business degrees are engineered for adult learners and busy professionals seeking to propel their careers forward.

Explore all the programs in our School of Business and Professional Studies to find the exact match for your goals.

Considering a career in business?

Explore our resources for business degrees, like BBA and MBA, and learn about career options that fit your future.

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