This is not a straightforward question to answer as not all business qualifications are the same or take the same length of time to obtain. You can get a college degree in a relatively short time, but a degree in business administration typically takes four years. Of course, the longer you study, the better your qualifications and career opportunities. Let’s look more closely at all your options.

1. Business Certificate

A business certificate typically takes 6-18 months to obtain, depending on the number of credits taken. Certificate programs that require 25 – 45 credits take around 18 months with shorter programs requiring around 15 credits taking less than a year to complete. Doing the course online takes the same length of time.

Certificates are offered by community colleges and colleges and universities also offer business certificates as part of their extension programs. There is also a slew of online programs.

People enroll for a business certificate to gain an entry point in a business-related career path without having to pay for an expensive business degree.

A business certificate is useful for extending your knowledge in a specific area without having to enroll for a degree. For instance, you can focus on extending your knowledge in bookkeeping, accounting, business analytics, or small business management.

You can enroll for an undergraduate certificate even if you have little to no prior business experience and no university education. 

Earning a business certificate will also open the doors for you to transfer to a business degree program.

2. Associate Degree in Business

An associate degree in business typically takes two years of full-time study. Part-time students will require three years to complete their associate degree. Online associate programs can also be completed within two years. 

If you have completed an undergraduate business certificate, you may be able to complete your associate degree in less than two years.

Associate degrees in general business are offered by community colleges. Students typically study introductory courses in business subjects like marketing, international business, management, accounting, taxation, and finance.

With an associate degree in business, you qualify for a job in customer service, retail sales, store management, and relationship banking. This degree won’t earn you a top position in business or a top salary, but it will set you up to start a career in business, and you can always transfer to a bachelor’s program to improve your career prospects. The subjects you completed as part of your associate’s degree could count toward your bachelor’s degree, shortening the time it would take you to earn your bachelor’s degree.

For a list of the best associate degrees on offer consult this resource. 

3. Bachelor’s in Business

It typically takes four years to earn a bachelor’s degree. If you already work and study part-time, you will most probably take six years to complete your business degree. It is also possible to enroll for a fast-track option that allows you to finish your degree in a shorter time. You may also be able to finish your degree in a shorter time if you have credits from an associate degree that can go toward your bachelor’s.

Students have the option to study in person, fully online, or to combine online and in-person studies. There are many different options for people who decide to do a degree in business from a general business administration degree with or without a specialty area, or a specialized qualification in fields like international business, finance, management, or marketing.

Check out our article on Is a Marketing Degree Worth it.

Some popular bachelor’s in business degrees

• Business Administration Degree

A business administration degree provides a general business education that prepares you for a career in management. The curriculum for a degree in business administration includes such subjects as finance, human resources, marketing, communication, and data analysis. 

This degree will open the way to a master’s in business administration for you.

• Business Management Degree

This is the most popular business degree and many top schools offer programs in business management. This is a challenging program that typically takes four years to complete. However, some programs offer flexible options making it possible for students to study and work simultaneously.

This degree prepares students to work with people and manage a company. 

• International Business Degree

This degree is for the adventurous among us who want to work internationally. These students study one or two foreign languages and general business subjects in addition to subjects like international law, foreign policy, cultural diversity and international trade. One of the perks (and challenges) of this field of study is the opportunity to travel abroad to learn how business is conducted in other countries. A degree in international business can lead to a rewarding international career working for global companies.

4. Master’s in Business (MS)

Earning a master’s in business, also called a Master’s of Science, generally takes two years of full-time study.  Part-time study will take a year longer, with online MS programs taking one to two years, depending on the program.

A Master of Science degree typically digs deeper into a specific subject like accounting, marketing, human resources, or finance. This degree provides focused, advanced training in a specific business subject. Many professionals decide to do an MS program to specialize further in their current field. A master’s in business enables graduates to work as marketing and financial managers, certified, public accountants, and business consultants. 

Due to its specialized nature, an MS program doesn’t offer many different course options and schedules are also fairly fixed. Students often follow an MS degree program to prepare for specific certifications or exams, such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam.

MS degree programs are designed for those who want to specialize in a specific business subject.

5. Master’s in Business Administration (MBA)

A master’s in business administration (MBA) typically requires two years of study. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, some programs will allow you to earn your degree in one year.

If you study part-time, it will take you two to five years to earn your MBA. It’s also possible to enroll in an accelerated MBA program, which will take 12-18 months. 

Keep in mind that there are key differences in the admissions standards between full-time and part-time programs. In some cases, a student who doesn’t qualify for the full-time on-campus program can qualify for the school’s part-time or online programs. 

Most business schools give preference to applicants who have an average of four to five years work experience. However, more important than the number of years is the quality of the work experience.

What are the best business degrees to get?

#1 E-Commerce Management – B.S., M.S. or MBA in E-commerce

This relatively new degree opens the door to the future. The various SaaS solutions that allow easier online shop integration, are helping to fuel e-commerce. This degree teaches planning, management, marketing, and other skills in addition to courses in business information systems.

Graduates can apply for positions as E-commerce managers, E-commerce specialists, and internet marketers and look forward to earning around $130k annually.

#2 B.S., M.S. or MBA in Entrepreneurship

So many people want to be an entrepreneur these days that a degree in this field has become in high demand. Entrepreneurs need skills in professional management, leadership, marketing, finance, accounting, and economics to succeed; an innovative product or service alone won’t cut it anymore.

Entrepreneurship graduates don’t have to become entrepreneurs as such, they can become chief executive officers of a startup. They can earn up to $150k annually.

#3 B.S. M.S. and MBA in Human Resources

Many business trend watchers agree that this is a winning degree choice for ambitious businessmen and women. Human resources (HR) plays a key role in modern business. HR has become much more than hiring and training; HR managers are involved in key business imperatives, helping their organization build a competitive advantage.

This is not an easy qualification to get and the eventual position will be extremely demanding, with the possibility of earning a top salary of $120k annually.

#4 M.S. in International Business or MBA in International Business

This is a highly coveted business degree for ambitious business people who want to succeed in an international business role. The degree schools students in capital markets, emerging financial markets, global banking, international law, and multinational business management, among others.

For the right person, this degree is the gateway to the ultimate heights in business and unlimited earning potential.

#5 Master’s, MBA, or Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing

Marketing is a crucial part of business – without it no business can survive. Besides, the business world has changed so drastically that marketing specialists need in-depth training to be at the top of their game. Marketing is more than buying and selling; it’s about audience segmentation, customer behavior, analytics, and market trends.

Professional marketing and sales managers will always have work and can earn a reliable income over time.

Check out our article on What Makes a Great Copywriter.

#6 M.S. in Healthcare Administration and Management or MBA in Healthcare Administration

Healthcare is in a process of complete change. In fact, healthcare has officially become a business. Sad, but true. The healthcare industry has also become extremely complex. For the industry to function optimally, professionals qualified in healthcare management and administration are essential. In addition to business principles, these degrees include courses in healthcare law, health care policy and healthcare informatics, and healthcare economics. 

Healthcare administrators with this qualification can expect to earn in the region of $80k annually.

Other highly sought-after business degrees include B.S., M.S. or MBA in Finance, B.S., M.S. or MBA in Economics, B.S., M.S. or MBA in Accounting, and B.S. in Management Information Systems.