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Studying a specific subject area within a major may help you gain a competitive edge as you become an expert in a particular field. Choosing a concentration in a growth area could result in higher salaries and additional career opportunities.

There are several popular business concentrations to choose from, including finance, HR, marketing, logistics and supply chain management, and entrepreneurship. There is no additional coursework required 鈥� concentration courses often apply toward your major.

Federal financial aid programs are open to on-campus and distance learning students at accredited online colleges and universities. Many students need some combination of federal, state, and school-sponsored aid to cover most of their expenses. Grants, such as the Pell grant and scholarships, are preferable because they are not repaid. However, your aid package may also include a student loan, which must be repaid with interest. Review the loan terms thoroughly before accepting, and keep in mind that federal student loans typically have better repayment terms than private student loans.

To apply for these types of financial aid, you should complete and submit the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). Once this form has been reviewed, schools will notify you regarding your financial aid offers. 

Online learners can also apply for various forms of financial aid to cover a business degree's expenses 鈥� including federal and state grants, university scholarships, and private funding 鈥� to help pay for their business degrees. They may also apply for federal student loans, but it's important to first explore free sources of funding as these don't have to be repaid.

Business majors may consider applying for the following scholarships: 

• Paul Mills Scholarship: This program administered by the Foundation for Financial Service Professionals is for undergraduate students studying toward a degree in finance, accounting, or related field. Applicants must complete one year of study, demonstrate financial need, and be U.S. Citizens or Legal Permanent Residents.
• Lily Pabilona Emerging Entrepreneur Scholarship: Applicants attending an accredited U.S. college must be small business owners and at least 25% Asian and/or Pacific Islander to qualify for these scholarship opportunities. 
• The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars Program: JRF awards scholarships to minority high school seniors who demonstrate academic excellence and plan on attending a four-year accredited university. Recipients will also receive mentoring services and educational guidance throughout their academic career.

An online degree in business provides the foundation for you to learn the basic principles of business, which you'll likely need if you want to pursue further education or take on more advanced positions in the field. Prospective students can expect to take courses that cover a wide range of related topics, from analytics and business statistics to accounting and finance. 

Business programs and online courses are designed to give students the basic knowledge and practical skills they'll need as professionals. To achieve this objective, students are often asked to engage in research, writing, group projects, and oral presentations, which are activities that simulate the types of work they might be asked to do on the job. In the process, students develop essential skills, such as analysis, problem-solving, collaboration, and verbal and written communication.

• Business Communications 鈥� In this course, students learn to use a professional tone and voice when writing different types of business correspondence, emails, reports, and other documents. They may also be required to create visual presentations, and to give oral presentations either individually or in groups. These projects allow students to learn the software programs commonly used in business.
• Managerial Accounting 鈥� Often the companion course to financial accounting, which covers basic accounting methods and bookkeeping, managerial accounting teaches students to understand, interpret, and make decisions based on an organization's financial records. There is typically a heavy emphasis on terminology, as well as the significance of accounting in terms of planning and budgeting.
• Marketing 鈥� Initially, students will be introduced to the basic components of marketing, often referred to as the "four Ps": product, promotion, price, and place (or distribution). As the course progresses, students learn how marketing efforts are used to build awareness and convert an organization's target audience into customers. Course materials also explain how marketing is related to other business functions, such as accounting, planning, operations, and production.
• Principles of Management 鈥� Typically one of the first classes in a business administration program, this course provides an overview of basic managerial functions. Course materials will cover a broad range of related subjects, including the business environment, corporate culture, decision making, goal setting, individual behavior, and organizational structure. Additional topics may include strategy, leadership, ethics, and international business.

Accreditation ensures that a school has achieved a high academic standard of excellence, which is vital for schools to receive federal funding and for students to be able to utilize federal financial aid. There are three premier programmatic accrediting agencies for business programs: the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (), the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (), and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education ().

The cost of an online bachelor's degree in business varies widely, depending on many factors. Most bachelor's degree programs require 120 credit hours to complete. Factors influencing per-credit fees are school type (public, private, or non-profit), degree format (online or in-person), and whether the student is paying in-state or out-of-state tuition. These amounts do not account for additional expenses, such as books, supplies, and technology, graduation, or other fees charged by most schools.

Students enrolled in online learning are also often eligible for financial assistance, such as scholarships and grants, that can help offset the expense of higher education. Active duty military members, veterans, and dependents may be entitled to tuition assistance at military-friendly schools. Some colleges partner with various organizations to offer tuition discounts to those organizations' members or employees, while others may consider work experience and prior learning credits to speed the process.

Based on the business bachelor's programs we feature in this ranking, the cost of an online business bachelor鈥檚 degree can be significantly lower than many students expect. Among the 15 schools analyzed, annual tuition ranges from about $1,000 to $4,356, with the majority of programs clustered well below $4,000 per year. In fact, nine of the programs charge $3,495 or less annually, and 13 fall under $4,000, showing that affordable options are widely available nationwide.

Additionally, when you project these figures over four years, the estimated tuition for these business degrees ranges from ~$4,000 to ~$17,400 total. Because many of these degrees are transfer-friendly programs, students entering with an associate degree may finish in closer to two years (potentially reducing total tuition even further).

An online business bachelor's degree can equip you with the skills necessary for career success upon degree completion. Moreover, many of these jobs pay well in fields that have high growth expectancy.

understand an organization's financial structure to help leaders make sound business decisions. They prepare financial statements and reports and monitor performance, ensuring an organization is meeting its legal financial obligations and goals.

• Median Annual Salary: $161,700 
• Job Outlook: 15% (much faster than average)

are the link between management and staff. They oversee recruitment and hiring, manage employee benefits and compensation programs, handle employee issues and complaints, and consult other managers on policy and procedure.

• Median Annual Salary: $140,030
• Job Outlook: 5% (faster than average)

work in fast-paced environments by managing the flow of goods and services. They oversee the purchasing, warehousing, and transportation of goods while managing inventory.

• Median Annual Salary: $80,880 
• Job Outlook: 17% (much faster than average)

And here are some other related roles alongside salary outcomes for consideration as a business major:

• : $101,190
• : $100,750
• : $101,910
• : $102,140

A review of the BLS's Occupational Outlook Handbook reveals that a bachelor's degree is required for nearly all business positions. These diverse entry-level opportunities range from engineering to construction to health services and apply to multiple business functions, including operations, information systems, and human resources.

Distance education provides flexibility with online classes, which may be more manageable with a busy schedule. Online programs can also be more affordable, thereby increasing the number of programs and price points you can choose from without having to relocate.

There are some other upsides to a business degree's worth:

• High earning potential: Business operations and financial occupations have a median annual salary of as of the most recent data, which is higher than the $49,500 for all occupations.
• Entrepreneurship opportunities: A business degree helps students interested in starting businesses and being self employed to become entrepreneurs.

Conversely, there are also downsides:

• Time-consuming and costly: Earning a degree takes a lot of time and work, often making it difficult to manage other obligations and responsibilities. In addition, some students incur debt that may take years to repay.
• Highly competitive: There are many business program graduates in the job market because of the degree's popularity. It can be difficult to gain a competitive edge. You may need a master's degree to increase your career opportunities.

After earning your undergraduate degree in business, you may be curious about next steps. We've compiled a resource to help you determine whether pursuing an online MBA will be worth it.

A Bachelor of Arts in business emphasizes the "soft skills" many business professionals need, such as communication, leadership, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. A Bachelor of Science in business emphasizes technical skills, such as accounting and finance, economics, statistics, and entrepreneurship. Many schools offer both business degrees.

Bachelor's degree programs in business are designed to take about four-years for full-time online students and longer for part-time students. Approximately 120 credit hours are needed to graduate. Those with an associate degree, prior work experience, or military training may be eligible for course credit, saving time and money.

The first thing to do is make sure the program or school is accredited (which, it should be noted, all of the schools across OnlineU have been verified as institutionally accredited). Also, consider how much time you can invest in learning online and whether the structure suits you. 

Many students review business programs and share their experiences, which is a great way to get a feel for a program or school. LinkedIn, which often has alumni connected to the school page, can also be a great place to start networking and could lead to job opportunities.

Of course, cost is a huge consideration for most people. Starting the search by looking at the list of affordable business degrees above from accredited schools can be a really helpful place to begin. Go to the school websites and look at the program details.