What can you do with a business management degree?

Business management is the process of organizing and optimizing business processes and operations so that a company and its employees can work as efficiently as possible. Although similar to business administration, business management is broader and more theoretical. What can graduates in this career field?

What is a business management degree?

A business management degree is designed to prepare students to supervise, govern and handle a business’s operations. As opposed to more technical business degrees, business management is broader in scope, looking at the big picture of running a business.

Rather than focusing on the specifics of day-to-day business operations, business management emphasizes the bigger picture, soft skills and interpersonal relationships. It can be one of the best business degrees for individuals seeking a variety of potential career options, a holistic understanding of business operations and the skills needed to become well-rounded business professionals.

Business management is a growing and diverse field. Depending on their chosen career paths, graduates may have opportunities for high earning potential, job stability and professional advancement.

Some business schools may offer electives or certificates, allowing students to specialize and further develop skills in a certain area. Business majors might focus on specific areas of management, including operations management, project management or general management, to earn an additional certificate alongside their degrees. Students may also focus on an entirely different area — such as information technology — to add more depth to a degree and open more career pathways.

What jobs require a business management degree?

Like other business degrees, business management is incredibly useful and offers opportunities in a variety of fields. Graduates with a degree in business management can pursue careers related to:

• Accounting
• Client and customer relations
• Data
• Finance
• Human resources
• International business
• Management
• Market research
• Marketing
• Products
• Sales

However, the options don’t have to stop there. With such a versatile degree, graduates are prepared for a number of opportunities, including becoming an entrepreneur and starting a business. The exact way to use the degree will depend on interests, preferred specialization and desired career path.

How to find a job with a business management degree

Graduates may be able to find a job through any of the traditional methods of job hunting, such as searching online and networking. While in business school, they can touch base with a career advisor for more personalized guidance and assistance.

When looking for jobs online, turn to popular job search websites, such as LinkedIn^®, Glassdoor and Indeed. Use keywords like “business manager” and “business management” to find postings. To specialize or work in a particular industry, use terms that match that specialty or field. Business management is a broad term, so job seekers may find more specific results by using descriptive search phrases.

Business management jobs

Here are some of the specific business roles:

Business manager

Overview: Business managers are responsible for overseeing many, if not all, aspects of a business’s daily operations. They ensure that a business is running smoothly and on track to meet organizational goals. Depending on the organization, a business manager may oversee other departments, including finances, marketing and human resources.

National average salary: BLS reports that administrative services and facilities managers — the organization’s closest occupation to a business manager — had a salary range of $67,100 to $207,720, with a median wage of $114,130 per year in 2025. Salaries vary by industry, company size and other factors like location and experience.

Education requirements: To become a business manager, job candidates need a bachelor’s degree and several years of hands-on experience in the workplace. Some organizations, particularly larger ones, may even require a master’s degree in business management.

Job outlook: Business manager jobs are expected to grow 5% between 2025 and 2035. This amounts to about 36,100 new jobs, on average, each year of the decade.

Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.

BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2025-2035 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

General and operations manager

Overview: General and operations managers typically direct daily operations, create staff schedules and ensure employees work toward team goals among other management duties.

National average salary: As of May 2023, general and operations managers earned between $46,340 and $232,110, with a median wage of $101,280, according to BLS.

Education requirements: Typically, a bachelors or master's degree is needed for these roles. 

How to get a business management degree

To get a business management degree, a student needs to make a few key decisions. First, students need to decide what kind of educational experience they want. Will they attend school online, in person or through a combination of the two? Both virtual and traditional classes have advantages and drawbacks, and neither is inherently better than the other. Instead, students should pick the option that works best for them.

After deciding, start researching schools and their business management programs. Review the entry requirements and curriculum to see which would be a good fit. Check to see if these schools offer minor programs, specialties or concentration areas or certificates. From there, begin applying.

After enrolling in a business school program, students should focus on their studies and developing the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as business professionals. Taking full advantage of the educational resources and learning opportunities available throughout the program can help students prepare for their future careers.

Typically, it takes four years of full-time study to earn a bachelor’s degree in business management. Students may be able to complete a program more quickly by taking more than the minimum number of required classes each term or finding alternative ways to earn course credit. Some business schools offer accelerated or condensed programs, which may be a good option for students seeking to complete their degrees as quickly as possible.

Conversely, earning a degree may take longer for students who attend school part time or take time off from their studies. Students who pursue a double major or add a minor or certificate to their program may also spend more than four years completing their undergraduate degree.

Program length can vary among schools, so prospective students should review the expected duration of their chosen program when planning their education. Those who choose to pursue a master’s degree in business management may need to spend an additional one to two years completing their education.

Students seeking to reach their academic and professional goals as quickly as possible can benefit from preparing for a business management degree in advance. Whether they are high school students or working adults returning to school, taking time to prepare can help set them up for success. This preparation allows students to devote more time to learning about business management and focusing on their professional development.

Here are a few ways prospective students can prepare for a business management degree:

• Pick classes wisely: Career changers and students completing general education requirements should carefully select courses within their programs. Courses related to business, such as economics, business math or personal finance, can help build foundational knowledge, introduce important business concepts and prepare students for business management coursework.

• Join professional organizations: Joining relevant professional organizations, including groups focused on business and entrepreneurship, can provide valuable learning opportunities. Organizations focused on debate, public speaking, community engagement and technology can also help students develop skills important in the business world. These experiences can provide a foundation for college-level business courses and offer opportunities for professional networking.

• Work with a mentor: Connecting with an experienced business professional or local entrepreneur can provide valuable guidance. Mentors can share their knowledge and expertise to help students navigate their educational and professional journeys. Learning from someone with firsthand industry experience can be beneficial as students transition into college and eventually the workforce.

• Do an internship: Internships provide opportunities to gain firsthand knowledge of how organizations operate. While business-related internships may be particularly beneficial, experience in other industries can also help students develop workplace skills. Working adults may consider conducting informational interviews with professionals in their desired industries to better understand career expectations and the skills needed to succeed.

• Get a job: Employment can provide insight into the inner workings of an organization. Positions related to business management may offer relevant experience, but jobs in unrelated fields can also help individuals understand workplace operations and develop professional skills.

• Research, research, research: Prospective students can benefit from researching business management, industry trends and potential specializations. Exploring specific degree programs, curricula and admission requirements can also help them make informed educational decisions. Although students do not need to have every aspect of their academic and professional futures planned before enrolling, having a strong understanding of their options can help them make the most of their education.

Ultimately, the value of a business management degree depends on how graduates apply their knowledge and skills. Business management is a broad field that offers a variety of potential career paths. Graduates can explore opportunities that align with their interests, experience and professional goals.