What can you do with a Business Administration degree from Northern Illinois University?

First, some facts. Of the Business Administration graduates from Northern Illinois University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:

These are estimates based on AI analysis of 19 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 71%, Business Administration graduates from Northern Illinois University have a slightly higher likelihood (+4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

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Also, after graduating, only 10% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Business Administration graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Business Administration degree from Northern Illinois University?
• What do Business Administration graduates from Northern Illinois University do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Business Administration degree from Northern Illinois University? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Business Administration degree from Northern Illinois University?
• What are the best colleges for Business Administration?

View a random Business Administration graduate from Northern Illinois University and our analysis:

Relevance score: 78% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2016 from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Player Normal Cornbelters Jul 2016 - Sep 2018 The position of a player for the Normal Cornbelters does not utilize business administration skills or knowledge as the role primarily focuses on athletic performance rather than business principles. Owner Fletcher's Hitting Center Oct 2016 - Present As the owner of Fletcher's Hitting Center, this job directly applies business administration knowledge in the management and operational aspects of running the facility. Owner Ox Wood Bat Company Dec 2017 - Present Owning the Ox Wood Bat Company involves utilizing business administration skills in areas such as product management, marketing, and financial oversight, making it directly relevant. Director Team Ox Wood Travel Baseball Aug 2019 - Present While the director role at Team Ox Wood Travel Baseball may involve some business management elements, it primarily focuses on sports organization and coaching rather than core business administration principles. ABOUT No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Business Administration degree from Northern Illinois University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:

• Management Trainee
• Operations Supervisor
• Project Manager
• Owner
• Service Center Manager
• Retail Cashier
• Holiday Clerk Assistant
• Accounting Assistant
• Assessment and Evaluation Coordinator
• Assistant Store Manager - Operations

From analyzing the LinkedIn profiles of Northern Illinois University Business Administration graduates, it's clear that many have landed jobs in fields closely tied to their degrees. Common roles include positions like Tax Associate, Accountant, Finance Manager, and Human Resources Manager. These jobs directly draw from the business skills and knowledge they've learned, covering areas such as accounting, financial management, and strategic planning. It seems like a lot of them have found their way into roles where they can flex their business administration muscles, especially in fields revolving around finance and HR management.

However, not every job out there seems to line up perfectly with their Business Administration degrees. For example, some graduates have taken on roles like Outreach Specialists or Retail Cashiers, which don’t fully leverage the core concepts taught in their program. Even in cases where they enter positions related to operations or logistics, the connection to the business principles they studied can sometimes feel a bit weak. Overall, while plenty of grads are in relevant positions that fit well with their education, there are definitely instances where the roles are either tangentially related or don’t utilize the full range of their skills.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Business Administration graduates (this is across all Business Administration graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Northern Illinois University):

What kind of career trajectories do Business Administration graduates from Northern Illinois University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from Northern Illinois University who earned a degree in Business Administration appear to have varied career trajectories, generally leaning towards roles that leverage their education in financial management, human resources, and project management. For many, the first job after graduation tends to be in entry-level positions related to accounting or management, such as tax associates, accounting assistants, or management trainees. These roles provide a solid foundation in business practices and help develop the essential skills needed for career advancement. Some graduates have even landed decent jobs in companies like Walgreens and Cintas soon after completing their degrees, indicating that they are stepping into roles that are relevant to their studies.

As we look at their career paths five or even ten years down the line, a number of graduates seem to move up the ladder into positions such as senior accountants, project managers, and human resources managers, showcasing a positive trajectory. However, not every graduate maintains a linear path in business-related roles. Some have branched into less directly related jobs or took on temporary positions before finding a more suitable career that aligns with their degree. Overall, while there are certainly some challenges and a few individuals who found themselves in jobs that don't fully utilize their education, many graduates from NIU in Business Administration seem to be building promising careers related to their degree, demonstrating a level of success in the job market.

How hard is a Business Administration degree from Northern Illinois University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Northern Illinois University is pretty manageable, but it definitely has its challenges. Like most business programs, you'll dive into subjects like finance, marketing, and management, which can be demanding depending on your interest and strengths. If you’re organized and willing to put in the effort, you’ll likely find it more on the easier side compared to other degrees, especially since there's a mix of group projects, presentations, and some straightforward exams. But don't underestimate the workload; balancing assignments and group work can get hectic, especially during midterms and finals. Overall, I'd say it's a solid choice if you stay on top of things!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Business Administration.

Do Business Administration graduates from Northern Illinois University tend to make good money?

Looking at these NIU grads, it seems like some of them have definitely climbed the ladder and are probably making decent money now, while others might still be finding their footing. For example, the person who started as an assistant and worked their way up to an Assistant Controller role must be doing pretty well financially. On the other hand, some have taken more entry-level jobs, like the ones working retail or at the post office, which likely don’t pay as well. Overall, it looks like a mixed bag—while a handful might be soaking in those good salaries, others are still in the process of building their careers and incomes.

What buzzwords do Business Administration graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Business Administration (this is across all Business Administration graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Northern Illinois University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Business Administration?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Business Administration (ordered by the average relevance score of their Business Administration graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College	Score	Count
Rasmussen College	90	11
University of California, Los Angeles	89	11
University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business	88	15
University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business	86	17
Baruch College	84	12
Ramapo College of New Jersey	84	12
Washington and Lee University	82	11
Worcester State University	81	17
University of Dubuque	81	11
University of California, Irvine - The Paul Merage School of Business	81	10
Bemidji State University	80	10
University of Alabama	79	13
Christopher Newport University	79	10
Arkansas State University	79	11
Nova Southeastern University	79	17
Point Loma Nazarene University	79	13
State University of New York College at Potsdam	79	10
Babson College	79	16
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo	78	27
University of Houston-Downtown	78	20
State University of New York College at Oswego	78	26
The University of Georgia	77	10
University of Southern California	77	49
Rutgers Business School	77	12
Elizabethtown College	77	14
Eastern New Mexico University	77	10
University of Oregon - Charles H. Lundquist College of Business	77	18
Grand Valley State University	76	12
University of Houston-Clear Lake	76	10
Arizona State University - W. P. Carey School of Business	76	22
University of New Orleans	76	21
Siena Heights University	76	14
Curry College	76	10
Ohio Dominican University	76	13
University of Florida - Warrington College of Business	76	14
Warner Pacific College	76	11
Florida State University	75	26
Montclair State University	75	24
University of Nebraska at Omaha	75	14
University of Maine	75	11
Middle Tennessee State University	75	16
Davenport University	75	26
Dallas Baptist University	75	14
University of Mount Olive	75	13
Mount Vernon Nazarene University	75	12
University of Washington	74	16
California State University-Fullerton	74	21
Minnesota State University, Mankato	74	11
California State University, Monterey Bay	74	11
Regis University	74	11
State University of New York Empire State College	74	11
Bob Jones University	74	12
Lakeland University	74	13
The Ohio State University	73	14
University of Arizona	73	18
Louisiana State University	73	27
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona	73	22
University of New Hampshire	73	17
University of Maryland University College	73	63
Cleveland State University	73	16
Truman State University	73	10
Lewis University	73	11
Bowie State University	73	12
Central College	73	10
Southern Wesleyan University	73	11
North Carolina State University	72	21
Clemson University	72	13
University of Oregon	72	20
University of Oklahoma	72	11
Ball State University	72	11
Missouri State University	72	21
University at Buffalo	72	17
Rowan University	72	17
University of Massachusetts Lowell	72	14
California State University-Dominguez Hills	72	14
Central Connecticut State University	72	10
Millersville University of Pennsylvania	72	21
Metropolitan State University	72	25
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University	72	18
Campbell University	72	16
Hampton University	72	18
Nicholls State University	72	21
Ashford University	71	107
Bowling Green State University	71	13
Northern Illinois University	71	19
California State University-Northridge	71	27
Kean University	71	16
William Paterson University of New Jersey	71	17
Southeastern Louisiana University	71	22
Youngstown State University	71	13
Murray State University	71	21
University of Denver	71	10
Upper Iowa University	71	19
Texas Southern University	71	15
High Point University	71	11
Texas Tech University - Rawls College of Business	71	17
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota	71	11
Huntingdon College	71	10
Colorado State University	70	24
University of North Florida	70	24
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse	70	13
The University of Southern Mississippi	70	22
Eastern Connecticut State University	70	16
Pepperdine University	70	21
American Public University System	70	12
University of Redlands	70	23
Florida State College at Jacksonville	70	12
Saint Martin's University	70	10
Penn State University	69	21
Arizona State University	69	41
Florida International University	69	37
Southern New Hampshire University	69	130
Texas Tech University	69	21
University of Cincinnati	69	11
Utah State University	69	12
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater	69	10
University of Wisconsin-Stout	69	26
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania	69	19
University of Northern Colorado	69	11
California Baptist University	69	19
University of St. Thomas	69	10
Austin Peay State University	69	12
Wilmington University	69	27
Northwood University	69	67
National University	69	16
State University of New York College at Buffalo	69	16
Florida Institute of Technology	69	10
St. Petersburg College	69	14
Walden University	69	17
University of North Georgia - Mike Cottrell College of Business	69	11
University of Florida	68	41
Western Governors University	68	149
University of Missouri-Columbia	68	30
The University of Texas at Arlington	68	24
East Carolina University	68	32
Central Michigan University	68	19
Northeastern University	68	15
Eastern Michigan University	68	20
College of Charleston	68	28
New Mexico State University	68	12
Wichita State University	68	17
Azusa Pacific University	68	19
Capella University	68	41
University of West Georgia	68	22
University of Central Arkansas	68	11
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley	68	10
Marshall University	68	10
Frostburg State University	68	15
California Lutheran University	68	13
Florida International University - College of Business	68	12
Albright College	68	13
King University	68	23
Belhaven University	68	20
Virginia Commonwealth University - School of Business	68	11
University of Central Florida	67	70
Purdue University	67	14
Texas State University	67	40
Kent State University	67	35
Brigham Young University - Idaho	67	28
Florida Atlantic University	67	30
Boston University	67	21
Kennesaw State University	67	27
Georgia Institute of Technology	67	16
Utah Valley University	67	24
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire	67	16
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)	67	16
Chapman University	67	20
Hofstra University	67	12
Troy University	67	24
Fort Hays State University	67	15
Georgia Gwinnett College	67	18
University of the Incarnate Word	67	15
Webster University	67	11
Texas A&M International University	67	12
Eastern Oregon University	67	17
University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business	67	27
James Madison University	66	16
Illinois State University	66	22
California State University, Fullerton	66	36
West Virginia University	66	18
Northern Arizona University	66	34
The University of Alabama	66	20
Washington State University	66	18
Central Washington University	66	20
Coastal Carolina University	66	17
Indiana Wesleyan University	66	43
Texas Woman's University	66	21
Lindenwood University	66	33
University of Missouri-Saint Louis	66	22
University of Wisconsin-Platteville	66	10
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay	66	10
Farmingdale State College	66	28
University of La Verne	66	32
Morehead State University	66	10
Brooklyn College	66	10
Mercy College	66	12
Indiana Institute of Technology	66	29
Shorter University	66	15
Averett University	66	17
University of South Florida	65	33
California State University-Sacramento	65	18
Oregon State University	65	38
San Diego State University	65	47
University of California, Riverside	65	39
California State University, Northridge	65	36
The University of Texas at Dallas	65	23
University of Mississippi	65	19
California State University-Los Angeles	65	15
The College of New Jersey	65	12
Bellevue University	65	36
Eastern Washington University	65	21
University of Maryland Global Campus	65	35
University of Central Oklahoma	65	16
Valdosta State University	65	14
University of Georgia - Terry College of Business	65	14
California State University Channel Islands	65	21
Saint Mary's College of California	65	12
University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business	65	11
Baker University	65	23
Palm Beach State College	65	12
Notre Dame de Namur University	65	13
Auburn University	64	17
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	64	10
Kansas State University	64	18
Boise State University	64	21
University of Louisiana at Lafayette	64	26
Ferris State University	64	37
Columbia College	64	58
Plymouth State University	64	21
University of North Carolina at Pembroke	64	13
California State University, Bakersfield	64	13
University of Illinois Springfield	64	14
Spring Arbor University	64	10
Bethune-Cookman University	64	10
Kennesaw State University - Michael J. Coles College of Business	64	16
Alfred State College - SUNY College of Technology	64	12
Faulkner University	64	25
University of Phoenix	63	635
San Jose State University	63	51
The University of Texas at San Antonio	63	35
Appalachian State University	63	17
Old Dominion University	63	15
University of Nevada-Las Vegas	63	18
Mississippi State University	63	36
University of Illinois at Chicago	63	11
California State University-San Bernardino	63	23
Wayne State University	63	14
Strayer University	63	120
Tarleton State University	63	47
University of San Diego	63	14
University of Southern Indiana	63	13
New Jersey City University	63	13
Stevenson University	63	15
South University	63	19
Miami Dade College	63	16
California State University, Stanislaus	63	15
Angelo State University	63	10
Southern Oregon University	63	12
Texas A&M UniversityCentral Texas	63	10
Georgia Southern University	62	23
American Military University	62	45
University of North Carolina at Greensboro	62	47
The University of Kansas	62	11
Western Kentucky University	62	13
California State University, Chico	62	12
Saint Leo University	62	49
University of Mary Washington	62	26
The City College of New York	62	11
State University of New York College at Plattsburgh	62	14
Post University	62	28
Vanguard University of Southern California	62	18
Indiana University East	62	16
Cardinal Stritch University	62	15
Friends University	62	15
Bethel University, College of Professional Studies	62	10
University of North Texas	61	26
Liberty University	61	69
Stony Brook University	61	18
Metropolitan State University of Denver	61	11
Kaplan University	61	49
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania	61	18
California State University - East Bay	61	18
Eastern Illinois University	61	12
Purdue University Global	61	35
University of Texas at Tyler	61	15
California State University, Los Angeles	61	11
University of Wisconsin-River Falls	61	10
North Carolina Central University	61	15
Franklin University	61	41
Trident University International	61	36
University of Baltimore	61	12
University of the Cumberlands	61	10
Polk State College	61	17
Indiana University Bloomington	60	12
Georgia State University	60	19
Oklahoma State University	60	39
University of Arkansas	60	12
University of Nebraska-Lincoln	60	36
San Diego State University-California State University	60	22
California University of Pennsylvania	60	12
Clayton State University	60	12
Western Oregon University	60	11
Florida Southern College	60	16
Grantham University	60	19
Indian River State College	60	12
North Greenville University	60	12
North Carolina Wesleyan College	60	10
Towson University	59	29
Virginia Commonwealth University	59	24
University of Utah	59	10
Western Washington University	59	13
Western Michigan University	59	18
The University of Memphis	59	22
The University of New Mexico	59	11
University of North Carolina at Wilmington	59	10
Northern Kentucky University	59	13
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga	59	18
Texas A&M University-Commerce	59	12
State University of New York College at Brockport	59	16
University of Southern Maine	59	11
Saint Michael's College	59	11
Baker College	59	15
University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business	59	15
Broward College	59	12
Grand Canyon University	58	66
DeVry University	58	75
California State University, Long Beach	58	12
Stephen F. Austin State University	58	15
Radford University	58	13
Winona State University	58	21
ECPI University	58	10
Olivet Nazarene University	58	15
Morgan State University	58	10
Northwestern State University	58	19
Fort Lewis College	58	10
Daytona State College	58	19
Walsh College	58	13
William Jessup University	58	12
University of Northwestern Ohio	58	11
San Francisco State University	57	36
Sam Houston State University	57	50
West Chester University of Pennsylvania	57	18
University of Nevada, Reno	57	14
American InterContinental University	57	50
Park University	57	42
Lamar University	57	11
The Citadel	57	21
Flagler College	57	10
Robert Morris University - Illinois	57	29
University of Kentucky	56	12
United States Air Force Academy	56	18
Argosy University	56	17
Medaille College	56	12
University of Iowa	55	11
DePaul University	55	22
Colorado Technical University	55	75
California State University, Fresno	55	21
Johnson & Wales University	55	24
Columbia Southern University	55	41
California State University San Marcos	55	22
University of San Francisco	55	10
Excelsior College	55	32
Berkeley College	55	31
Jackson State University	55	10
Barry University	55	13
Monroe College	55	15
Colorado State University-Global Campus	55	11
Hawaii Pacific University	55	11
Fresno Pacific University	55	12
Ashworth College	55	17
Florida Gulf Coast University	54	12
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi	54	12
Saginaw Valley State University	54	10
City University of New York-Brooklyn College	54	14
Robert Morris University	54	15
SUNY Polytechnic Institute	54	11
Southern Nazarene University	53	16
Nichols College	53	11
California State University-Long Beach	52	17
Bridgewater State University	52	10
University of South Carolina Upstate	52	18
Aurora University	52	12
Texas A&M University-San Antonio	52	12
State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill	52	11
Texas A&M University	51	22
East Tennessee State University	51	13
Salem State University	51	10
University of North Carolina at Charlotte	50	23
Colorado Mesa University	50	11
McNeese State University	50	14
Colorado Christian University	50	12
Wayland Baptist University	50	22
Western Carolina University	49	13
University of North Georgia	49	17
Sonoma State University	48	15
University of Central Missouri	48	11
Gardner-Webb University	47	14
University of Alabama at Birmingham	45	11
Shepherd University	43	15
Independence University	39	11