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.
A degree in General Business/Commerce involves the study of Business/commerce, General. A Program That Focuses On The General Study Of Business, Including The Processes Of Interchanging Goods And Services (Buying, Selling And Producing), Business Organization, And Accounting As Used In Profit-Making And Nonprofit Public And Private Institutions And Agencies. The Programs May Prepare Individuals To Apply Business Principles And Techniques In Various Occupational Settings.
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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
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.
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 |
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