What can you do with a Small Business Administration degree?

First, some facts. Of the Small Business Administration graduates 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 74 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 54%, Small Business Administration graduates have a much lower likelihood (-13%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 54%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

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

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 20% 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 Small Business Administration graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Small Business Administration graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 2%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2013 from New York University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Small Business Administration. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Finance Internship
Citi
May 2013 - Dec 2013
The finance internship at Citi may provide some applicable skills and knowledge relevant to small business finance, but it is not directly focused on core qualifications from the Small Business Administration degree.

Administrative Assistant
Optimum Bandwidth
Jan 2014 - Present
The role of Administrative Assistant at Optimum Bandwidth does not require specific skills or knowledge from the Small Business Administration degree and focuses more on general administrative tasks.

ABOUT

I am an Executive Assistant with experience beyond my years. Im very passionate about helping people improve their jobs by solving problems before they escalate and building a strong unified culture. As the glue that keeps things running in a fast-paced, hyper-growth and high tech environment, I accept the challenges that I face on a daily basis and become stronger because of them.

What jobs can you get with a Small Business Administration degree?

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


When looking through the various job titles held by individuals who've graduated with a degree in Small Business Administration (SBA), it’s interesting to note the patterns that emerge regarding the relevance of those positions to their field of study. The most common types of jobs seem to be in management, finance, and some entrepreneurial ventures. While many of these roles do significantly lean on the skills and knowledge imparted by an SBA degree, a number of them veer into areas that are not directly related to business administration principles, showcasing a wide range of career trajectories.

Jobs in management roles, such as Operations Manager, Digital Marketing Director, and various types of managers in food services or retail, typically reflect a strong connection to the core competencies taught in SBA programs. These positions require skills like leadership, strategic planning, and business operations, which align closely with SBA education. On the other hand, you find numerous roles, such as Delivery Driver or Administrative Assistant, that although they might incorporate some organizational skills, do not directly utilize the core knowledge of business principles. Furthermore, positions in fields like teaching, technical roles in IT, or niche jobs in policy development often exhibit little to no relevance to small business administration, making it clear that the applications of an SBA degree can be quite limited in certain sectors.

Overall, it appears that while a good number of these jobs are relevant and align well with the principles of Small Business Administration, there’s still a significant portion that falls short of leveraging the core competencies gained from their education. This suggests that graduates have a flexible pathway ahead of them post-graduation, and while many might find fulfilling careers within the realm of business management, others might need to consider how their education applies to broader roles in varied sectors that, while they don't overt, offer some transferable skills from an SBA program. In conclusion, pursuing a degree in Small Business Administration opens up many avenues, but the correlation between one’s job and their field of study can vary widely from one individual to another.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Small Business Administration graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Small Business Administration graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of those who graduated with a degree in Small Business Administration (SBA), you can see a mix of paths that these graduates have taken. In general, it appears that many of them started in entry-level positions after graduation and then evolved into roles that are more aligned with their degrees or allowed them to start their own businesses. However, there are plenty of instances where the connection to the SBA degree seems pretty loose or even non-existent, particularly for those who have drifted into unrelated fields or have faced prolonged periods in low-level positions.

For many graduates, the first job out of college is often something standard and practical, like operations manager roles at retail companies or specialist positions in various industries. For example, one graduate became an Operations Manager at Target just shortly after finishing their studies. Fast forward five years or so, and the picture gets a bit more mixed; some have climbed the ladder to respectable positions in their fields, such as a Business Development Manager or a Director of Business Development, which are definitely relevant to small business practices. However, there’s also a noteworthy number of graduates who seem to have jumped around from one non-related job to another with little upward mobility or relevance to business administration—like those who became delivery drivers or worked in entirely different sectors, which just don’t particularly take advantage of their SBA degrees. This makes it a bit of a gamble if you want to pursue a career that specifically leverages that education.

Looking ten years down the line, it really is a mixed bag. Some graduates have successfully transitioned into stable and relevant roles that utilize their skills and knowledge from their SBA education. Meanwhile, others might still be floundering, stuck in jobs that are either unrelated or don’t require the degree at all, like working as a librarian or in administrative roles that don’t leverage their full potential. It's not uncommon to see paths that start strong only to taper off into jobs that reflect a lack of direction. The degree offers some foundational skills, but it seems that the creativity and strategic foresight to drive one’s career forward might not be something that everyone who graduates possesses. So, while some make the most of their education, others might find themselves wishing they had explored other fields or opportunities after finishing their studies.

How hard is a Small Business Administration degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Small Business Administration is generally considered to be on the easier side compared to some other degrees, but it still requires commitment and effort like any college program. You'll dive into subjects like marketing, finance, and management, which can be pretty interesting and relatable since they connect to real-world situations. While there will be some challenging moments—like group projects or presentations—many students find it manageable, especially if they stay organized and engaged. So, if you’re the kind of person who likes problem-solving and thinking creatively, you might actually enjoy it more than you expect!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Small Business Administration.

Do Small Business Administration graduates tend to make good money?

Based on the job trajectories of these Small Business Administration grads, it seems like some of them are doing pretty well, while others might not be raking in the big bucks just yet. For instance, the person who graduated from American River College is running their own credit consulting business and has a solid position as a licensed insurance agent, which could suggest a decent income. On the flip side, someone from Howard Payne University is just a library technician. While it's a valuable job, it doesn't usually come with a hefty paycheck, so that might not be the best indicator of financial success.

Other graduates like the one who works at JPMorgan Securities and the marketing manager at a successful company likely have better earnings, especially in high-demand sectors like finance and tech. Meanwhile, those in roles like drivers or teachers generally earn less. Overall, it looks like there's a mix, with some graduates probably living comfortably, and others could still be hustling to get by. It just goes to show that the job market can vary widely based on the field and the roles people find themselves in after college.

What buzzwords do Small 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 Small Business Administration. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Small Business Administration?

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

College Score Count