In the U.S., education is the most common form of professional development, and many workers are choosing to enroll in college classes for the first time or returning to complete their degrees. In fact, the U.S. National Center for Education Statistics predicts that while enrollment for those under 25 will only increase by 12 percent between 2012 and 2023, enrollment of students over the age of 25 will increase by 20 percent. These so-called nontraditional students make up “roughly 71 percent of all U.S. undergraduates,” according to U.S. News & World Report, and so “nontraditional” may just be a misnomer.
Students over the age of 25 are motivated by different factors than those under the age of 25. Often, the over-25 set wants to immediately apply what they are learning to their professional lives. For this type of student, a BBA degree online may be the right path.
Area of Focus
A bachelor’s degree in business administration, as the title implies, is usually offered by business schools within a larger university system. Whether it is an online BBA degree or a degree earned at a brick-and-mortar institution, these programs must be accredited to carry weight in job market. An online BBA degree program may include coursework in accounting, management, marketing and business law. While many students earn their BBA degrees in four years, some students can earn their degrees online in three or even two years.
Jobs and Compensation
Some BBA graduates go on to become managers for their respective companies. These management students are able to choose from a variety of focuses. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), general and occupational managers averaged around $112,490 in 2014. Some of the top industries for occupational managers are technology companies, restaurants, consulting firms and local government. Among these top employers, the average compensation ranges from $71,740 to $149,320.
Those who become managers have a variety of types of management to choose from. The BLS lists some of the more common ones as advertising and promotions managers, marketing managers, sales managers, public relations and fundraising managers, administrative services managers, computer and information systems managers, and compensation and benefits managers. Some of these career tracks require more education, but a BBA degree can serve as a necessary stepping stone to graduate-level programs.
Given the diversity of choices for a career and the generous compensation, many students over the age of 25 are choosing a BBA degree. Many accredited colleges offer online BBA degree programs, and students in these programs often continue working while earning their degrees. These working students are able to learn new concepts in business administration and immediately reap the benefits at their workplace.
Learn more about the Lamar University online BBA degree program.
Sources:
http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=98
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes111021.htm#ind
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes110000.htm
