Online Business Colleges

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that the most popular undergraduate major at American colleges is business. This makes sense, given the huge scope of business in this country: a 2010 report issued by the Center for Education and the Workforce (CEW) predicts that the business and professional services sector will account for economic output of about $3.5 billion and add 3.4 million new jobs by 2018. CEW also predicts that by 2018 a full 59% of workers in this sector will have a bachelor's degree or better.

Business Degree Programs and Careers

Whether you're working toward an associate's, bachelor's or master's degree in business, you'll take courses in basic aspects of business, such as marketing, operations and finance. You might specialize in one of these business functions, or you might pursue a degree geared to a particular industry. For example, a degree in healthcare management will position you to lead a hospital or other healthcare facility. An online business degree program can be a great option, since attending college online allows you to work while going to school. This enables you to advance your career by immediately applying in the office what you learn in the virtual classroom. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists over two dozen occupations, from financial manager and top executive to funeral director and insurance underwriter, that fall under the business management and business/financial operations categories. So business degrees are versatile credentials, but in choosing a degree program, it's wise to think about what your career goals are and what areas of specialization are in demand.