by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 810 U.S. colleges awarded 61,663 degrees and certificates in General Business/Commerce. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 44% of graduates. College Factual ranks 593 schools in its 2027 Best General Business/Commerce Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $55,037 one year after completing, rising to $69,180 after four years.
Are you interested in learning the dynamics behind a successful business? What goes on behind-the-scenes is what can make or break a company. A program in General Business and Commerce will give students a broad view of how to operate a business. This will include accounting as used in for profit and nonprofit institutions, business organization, and the process of interchanging goods and services (producing, buying, and selling). Students will learn to apply techniques and business principles in various occupational settings.
In this major you will take courses in Management, Marketing, Finance, Economics, and Statistics.
Studying General Business/Commerce explores Business/commerce, General.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, general business/commerce draws strong interest, with 61,663 degrees awarded annually. 810 colleges award general business/commerce degrees, an average of 76 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 3,769.
By level, the 61,663 awards include 1,525 certificates, 19,584 associate degrees, 27,287 bachelor’s degrees, 12,919 master’s degrees and 173 doctorates.
Women earned 51% of general business/commerce degrees and certificates in the latest year (31,669 of 61,663). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (30,779) and Hispanic or Latino (10,739), and international students earned 3,105.
College Factual ranks 593 schools in its 2027 Best General Business/Commerce Schools ranking, including 293 for associate degrees, 263 for bachelor’s degrees, 85 for master’s degrees and 7 for doctorates. It also ranks general business/commerce schools within 49 states. In all, 810 colleges offer general business/commerce programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Business/Commerce Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general business/commerce credential is the bachelor’s degree: 27,287 of the 61,663 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general business/commerce call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Speaking, and for knowledge of Administration and Management, English Language and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
Students with strong leadership skills are often drawn to this major. Through group work and presentations you will be prepared to become a leader in your company or organization. A healthy work-ethic and strong organizational skills will help you stand out to professors and future employers. Writing, speaking and time management skills are also necessary to success.
You may be able to prepare for this major ahead of time by taking courses in Computer applications, English, Accounting, Microeconomics', and Accounting. These classes will allow students to grasp the fundamentals of Business and Commerce. You will also find first-hand experience helpful to grasp business concepts. Consider an internship or part-time job in the area of your interest.
This program is not only offered as a Bachelor's Degree, but students can continue onto higher education and receive a Master's or Doctorate in this field.
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How long a general business/commerce degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,525 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 19,584 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 27,287 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 12,919 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 173 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general business/commerce, at 43.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 43.9% |
| Master’s degree | 14.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.4% |
| Some college courses | 9.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 1.8% |
| First professional degree | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
30 occupations are related to General Business/Commerce, with an average median salary of $120,731; the strongest outlook belongs to Hydroelectric Production Managers, at 14.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Plant Manager, Project Coordinator, Gym Manager and Industrial Production Manager.
There are a multitude of career paths that graduates can pursue. One option is to become a Manager in various business settings. Managers oversee and coordinate the operations of the organization. They manage daily operations, plan for use of material and human resources. Managers can be found in Administrative Service, Construction, Sales, Social and Community Service, Industrial Production, and Transportation, Storage, and Distribution. You may also work in other fields as a Chief Executive or Cost Estimator. These occupations require problem solving and organization. A strong business background will help prepare you for a position. Salaries can vary depending on your position and what business you enter into.
The occupation related to general business/commerce with the most projected jobs is Appraisers of Personal and Business Property, at 814,640.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | 814,640 | 8.0% |
| Geothermal Production Managers | 503,620 | 1.9% |
| Construction Managers | 496,716 | -0.3% |
| Management Analysts | 484,759 | 12.6% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Biomass Power Plant Managers | 450,707 | 4.2% |
| Chief Sustainability Officers | 440,982 | 0.5% |
| Administrative Services Managers | 425,994 | 9.0% |
General Business/Commerce graduates earn a median $55,037 one year after completing their program, $69,180 after four years and $67,849 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $55,037 |
| 4 years | $69,180 |
| 5 years | $67,849 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to general business/commerce is Personal Service Managers, All Other, with a median salary of $176,674.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Personal Service Managers, All Other | $176,674 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $170,172 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Biofuels Production Managers | $164,096 |
| Geothermal Production Managers | $160,381 |
| Administrative Services Managers | $158,084 |
| Facilities Managers | $157,669 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $156,089 |
General Business/Commerce includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Business/Commerce, General (61,663). It has 21 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 822,486 degrees a year; the largest are Business Administration, Management and Operations (421,752), Accounting and Related Services (86,793) and Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (68,298). Browse all Business, Management & Marketing majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General | 61,663 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 421,752 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 86,793 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 68,298 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 60,422 |
| Marketing | 56,635 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 27,822 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 15,088 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | 14,895 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 13,200 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 12,764 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
