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What jobs can you get with a business administration degree?

Published: June 30, 2025

Students stand around the television monitors and a ticker display in the business school's Finance Trading Room to track commodity and financial markets.

A business administration degree gives you access to exciting career opportunities, from managing the marketing team of a Fortune 500 company to analyzing financial markets on Wall Street. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects nearly one million annual business job openings through 2033. Employers seek graduates who can lead teams, make data-driven decisions and drive organizational success.

Are you interested in a meaningful career with strong salary prospects? Northwest Missouri State University’s business administration program will transform your ambition into workplace readiness. Many of our graduates launch careers with starting salaries averaging $79,050 per year – higher than the $48,060 median annual wage for all occupations, according to BLS.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the career paths you can take with a business administration degree and how Northwest prepares you to chart your course.

What Is a Business Administration Degree?

A business administration degree provides you with extensive training in the fundamentals of how organizations operate, grow and succeed. This versatile program equips you with essential knowledge across key business disciplines, including management, marketing, finance and more.

What makes this degree unique is its balanced focus on theory and application. You’ll master crucial business theories while developing practical skills in leadership, critical thinking, communication and ethical decision-making. Whether your goal is to climb the corporate ladder, launch a startup or lead a nonprofit, a business administration degree like the one from Northwest provides the basis for a successful career.

Explore Northwest's Business Administration Degree

Confident woman illustrating sales growth on a flipchart in a modern office

The Versatility of a Business Administration Degree

Many prospective students ask, “What jobs can you get with a business administration degree?” – and for good reason. Business administration graduates qualify for positions in nearly every sector of the economy, from health care and technology to finance and manufacturing.

Why are business administration graduates so in demand? Their versatile skill set is a major strength. While specialized degrees prepare you for specific roles, business administration gives you a comprehensive toolkit of transferable skills – strategic thinking, financial literacy, project management and leadership capabilities – that apply across organizations and industries.

This flexibility is highly desirable in business. Employers value adaptable professionals who can navigate change and solve complex problems. A business administration degree allows you to specialize while staying flexible throughout your professional journey.

Top Career Paths for Business Administration Graduates

A business administration degree prepares you for various career opportunities. Here are some of the most promising career paths to consider:

Management careers

  • Operations manager: Lead day-to-day business activities, implement policies and manage resources efficiently. Operations managers plan, direct and coordinate the operations of organizations.
  • Administrative services manager: Oversee supportive services that keep organizations running smoothly, from facilities management to office coordination. They may also supervise other administrative staff.
  • Marketing manager: Develop strategies to promote products or services, analyze market trends and maximize company profits through effective marketing campaigns.

Finance-focused roles

  • Financial analyst: Assess investment opportunities, evaluate financial data and guide businesses and individuals in making informed investment decisions.
  • Budget analyst: Help organizations allocate financial resources effectively by analyzing budgets, reviewing funding requests and monitoring spending.

Human resources and research

  • Human resource specialist: Recruit, screen and interview job candidates while also handling employee relations, benefits administration and training programs.
  • Market research analyst: Study market conditions to examine potential sales of products or services, helping companies understand what products people want and at what price.

Specialized business roles

  • Project management specialist: Coordinate resources, timelines and team members to ensure successful project completion while managing risks and maintaining communication.
  • Sales manager: Direct sales teams, set sales goals, develop training programs and analyze data to boost revenue and market presence.
  • Community services manager: Oversee programs and organizations that support public well-being, working in nonprofit or government settings.

Group of professionals in a meeting discussing teamwork in an office

Why Employers Value Business Administration Graduates

What jobs can you get with a business administration degree from Northwest? Your career possibilities are wide ranging. Our program develops the in-demand skills employers value most, including:

  • Critical thinking and decisive action: You’ll learn to assess complex business problems and implement effective solutions.
  • Negotiation and collaboration: Our curriculum emphasizes the teamwork and leadership skills you need to collaborate in a business environment.
  • Ethical decision-making: Build a strong foundation in business ethics and corporate responsibility.
  • Communication: From presentations to professional writing, you’ll refine the communication skills you need to succeed in business.

While all business programs aim to develop these skills, Northwest’s program stands out for giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

What Sets Northwest’s Business Administration Degree Apart

If you're asking, “What jobs can you get with a business administration degree?” remember – the program you choose makes a difference. You need one that’s designed to help you land a job right after graduation. At Northwest, the B.S. in business administration prepares you to enter the workforce even before you finish your degree.

B.S. in Business Administration

Program Flexibility to Fit Your Life

Aspiring business professionals come from diverse backgrounds with varying needs. At Northwest, you can choose the business administration program format that aligns with your goals:

  • 100% on campus for a traditional college experience
  • 100% online for maximum flexibility
  • Complete your accelerated undergraduate/MBA degree in just five years through the CATapult program

No matter the format you choose, Northwest’s business administration program prepares you for real success.

Business Administration Job: A Bearcat Success Story

With Northwest’s business administration degree, you’ll join the ranks of alumni who have secured positions with respected organizations across the country and globally. Our program has a 95% employment rate for graduates in business administration jobs.

Keilon Hunter, a 2021 graduate, is among our proud alumni. Like many incoming students, Hunter arrived at Northwest without a clear career path in mind. “I chose a business major because I knew business majors were needed everywhere,” he explained. This practical decision led to valuable experiences that shaped his professional journey.

During his time at Northwest, Hunter thrived in Northwest’s hands-on learning environment. He served as a project manager in Knacktive, working in a realistic agency setting. This experience, combined with Northwest’s small class sizes, made all the difference in Hunter’s education.

“It’s nice because the class sizes were small enough for my teachers to know who I am,” said Hunter. “Their offices were always open for me to go in and talk with them.”

Today, Hunter applies his Northwest education as a capacity portfolio manager at C.H. Robinson, a Fortune 500 global logistics company. His journey from undecided student to successful professional shows how far a Northwest business administration degree can take you.

Invest in Your Future

A business administration degree from Northwest is a powerful academic achievement and investment in your professional future. With the skills, knowledge and experience you gain, you’ll be prepared for a rewarding career with significant growth potential.

Join the Northwest Bearcat community and discover what jobs you can get with a business administration degree – and how Northwest helps you succeed on your chosen path.

Explore the B.S. in Business Administration



Contact

Dr. Mark Hornickel
Administration Building
Room 215
660.562.1704
mhorn@nwmissouri.edu