The Most Lucrative Business Majors By Starting Salary

The average starting salaries for business majors can vary depending on the individual, the job, and the school where the degree was earned. However, there are some lucrative business majors that seem to rise to the top in the National Association of Colleges and Employers Salary Survey Report. For undergraduate business majors, its management information systems, supply chain management, and finance. For graduate business majors, its marketing, finance, and business administration. Lets take a closer look at each of these business majors to learn more about areas of focus, average starting salaries, and post-graduation career opportunities. Management Information Systems Management information systems is a business major that focuses on the use of computerized information systems to guide managerial decisions and manage business operations.  Average starting salaries for people with a bachelors degree in management information systems exceed $55,000 and increase exponentially with more work experience. At the masters level, average starting salaries are just under $65,000. According to PayScale, annual salaries for MIS grads can get as high as $150,000 or more for certain job titles (like a project manager). Common job titles include business analyst, systems administrator, project manager, and information systems manager. Supply Chain Management Business majors who focus on supply chain management study logistics and supply chains, which include any individual, organization, or operation that participates in the production process (procurement and transportation of materials), manufacturing process, distribution process, and the consumption process.  According to PayScale, average starting salaries for business majors with a bachelors degree in supply chain management exceed $50,000. At the masters level, average starting salaries are just shy of $70,000. Supply chain management grads can work as supply chain managers, logistics directors, supply chain analysts, or strategic sourcing managers. Finance Finance is a business major that focuses on economics and the management of money. This is a popular and lucrative business major for both undergraduate and graduate students. Average starting salaries for finance majors exceed $50,000 at the bachelors level and $70,000 at the masters level. According to PayScale, annual salaries for finance majors with just a bachelors degree can get as high as $115,000 for portfolio and finance managers. Common job titles for finance majors include financial analyst, credit analyst, financial planner, and finance officer.   Marketing Marketing majors learn the best ways to promote, sell, and distribute products and services to end consumers. According to PayScale, the average starting salary for marketers at the bachelors level is under $50,000, but at the masters level, that number exceeds $77,000. Both of those numbers increase with time and experience. PayScale reports a salary range for marketing majors that tops out at $150,000 at the bachelors level and goes much higher at the MBA level. Common job titles for business majors who specialize in marketing include marketing manager, marketing research analyst, and account executive.   Business Administration Students who major in business administration study business operation, particularly the performance, management, and administrative functions. According to PayScale, the average starting salary for grads with a bachelors degree in business administration/management is over $50,000. At the masters level, grads earn an average starting salary of more than $70,000. The business administration degree is a general business degree, which means that there are many different career paths for grads. Students can go on to work in management or get jobs in marketing, finance, human resources, and related areas. Learn more about your options with this guide to high-paying management jobs.