University of Montana Blog

What You Can Do with a Business Management Degree

Written by Brad Lane | Mar 24, 2025 10:40:34 PM

Do you have the skills and stamina to start a career in business management? A little grit and fortitude go a long way in this multi-disciplinary ability to oversee operations large and small. But all the hard work typically pays off with business management salaries being stable yet diverse. And for those looking to be leaders, business management jobs come with a sense of pride at the end of the day.

 

What is Business Management

Business management covers many aspects of business, including human resources, accounting, conflict management, strategic planning, employee motivation and many others.

The study of business management combines all these skills into a collective leadership platform, providing varied skill sets to lead and drive organizations, from small business startups to multi-national companies.

A career in business management requires hard and soft skills and plenty of experience. Leadership opportunities in roles like manager, analyst, advisor and entrepreneur only expand with continued learning and drive. Learn more about a business management degree at the University of Montana.

 

Online Business Management Degree vs In-Person

One of the biggest differences between an online degree and an in-person degree is you choose the place and pace of your learning. It takes a motivated learner to get the most out of an online business management degree, but because classes and assignments are completed on your own time, it’s a much better fit for most everyone’s schedule.

Gain real-world experience on your time

An online business management degree provides several real-world experiences. From case studies to partnership programs and collaborative projects, you gain resume-building skills every step of the way.

Finish Your Degree                                                           

An online business management degree is perfect for anyone looking to complete a business degree. With some prerequisites already completed, take less time to get your degree and advance your career.

 

Is a Business Management Degree Worth It?

The knowledge, experience and confidence gained by graduation make a business management degree very worth the time in the classroom.

The connections made during your time in school, including at job fairs, special programming and workshops, also make a business management degree worth it. Business professors are typically great networkers and love connecting students to potential mentors or job opportunities.

The best degree for business management

The best business management degree depends on what you want to achieve with an operation or leadership position. A bachelor’s degree opens several doors to top-ranking positions, while a master’s degree will help expedite the process with deeper and more nuanced skillsets.

A business management degree offers diversity in applicable jobs

Business management covers a lot of operations, providing a Swiss-army knife appeal to resumes. Business management degrees open the door to all sorts of business ventures big and small, and positions with growth potential.

Jobs from business management degrees are stable and in demand

Corporate culture always values a hard worker with varied skill sets. Degree holders aren’t applying for part-time, seasonal or temporary work – instead, they are qualified for full-time employment with benefits.

Business Management careers offer lucrative salaries

Business leaders stand to make lucrative salaries, especially if their leadership brings the organization success. Other positions, like analyst, advisor and entrepreneur, also prove to be a valuable investment within just a few years of graduating.

 

What Type of Jobs You Can Get with a Business Management Degree

Students completing their business management degree accumulate strong foundations in leadership, strategic thinking and project management, alongside skills in a specific track they choose to pursue. This combination of resume builders lends to leadership positions in a variety of industries and organizations.

A list of careers in Business Management:

Careers in Business Management lean toward leadership or critical thinking and key decision-making positions:

  • Business Analyst
  • Project Manager
  • Marketing Manager
  • Financial Analyst
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Consultant
  • Sales Manager
  • Financial Planner
  • Financial Advisor
  • Franchise Owner
  • Product Manager

 Other jobs with a business management degree

Adaptability and the ability to see the larger picture are part of a business management education. This allows business management graduates to pursue a wider range of “non-traditional” jobs that don’t conform to a typical office schedule:

  • Entrepreneur
  • Small-Business Owner
  • Motivational Speaker
  • Freelancer
  • Content Creator
  • Startup Founder
  • Shop Owner
  • Venture Capitalist
  • Life Coach
  • Artisan
  • Public Speaker
  • Podcast Production

Business management degree salary range

A bachelor’s degree in business management opens a wide range of career pathways, including several lucrative positions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023 a financial analyst had a median income of $99,890 ($48.02/hour), and a sales manager’s median income was $135,160 ($64.98/hour). Financial planners, marketing managers and human resource managers also meet or exceed $100,000 median incomes.

 

 Earn Your Business Management Degree from the University of Montana

UM offers a bachelor’s degree in business management at their central mountain campus or completely online. Learn more about a business management degree at the University of Montana.

Students choose between five tracks to follow throughout their education, or can opt for a General Management track.

UM’s Business Management Tracks

The five academic pathways for business management include the same core class curriculum: