Choosing the right major is essential for aspiring entrepreneurs. The right degree provides a solid foundation for future business owners, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to launch and manage successful enterprises.

This article discusses the top five majors for entrepreneurs. These majors have been carefully selected for relevance, creativity and innovation, and the potential for positive diversity and inclusivity impacts.

Entrepreneur Affirmations: Success Through Positivity

The best majors for entrepreneurs depends on your interests, abilities, and business intentions

What should I major in to be an entrepreneur?

Whether a bachelor's or master's degree, entrepreneurs undertake degree programs to refine current skills and enhance knowledge. The best degrees for entrepreneurs depend on the following:

• Your interests
• Your ability, time, and commitment
• Your business ideas and what you intend to do (your products or services)

Successful business owners are experts in leadership, management, communication, critical thinking and decision-making, and planning. An interest in social entrepreneurship typically promotes even higher success; these entrepreneurs want to achieve financial success, but they also want to positively impact the communities they serve and the world. The most up-to-date programs account for these variables, including degrees in:

• Business administration (which can include an Entrepreneurship concentration)
• Marketing
• Finance
• Computer science
• Psychology

Before deciding which degree program to pursue, also understand that this list could include a degree in communications, engineering, economics, and more. There has yet to be a set list of college degrees for business owners. And future entrepreneurs should also ask another nagging but critical question: Does an entrepreneur need a college degree?

Business administration

We're living in a time where the reset button of history has been hit. Radical social, economic, and environment changes are becoming the norm and creating a rapidly changing world that demands new patterns of thinking, being and doing for our personal development, as well as for collective well-being. – Jean Houston, Chancellor, Meridian University

Business administration (BA) is a highly versatile major that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of business operations. This degree is applicable across multiple industries, making it an attractive option for those with diverse career goals and interests. The degree equips students with the fundamental skills to launch and successfully operate a business.

One of the key benefits of a business degree is the development of problem-solving and innovative thinking skills. Further, pursuing a business administration program can increase networking opportunities with professors, fellow students, and recruiters. These connections can be invaluable for entrepreneurs looking to gain insights into their industry, secure funding, and establish partnerships.

It is common for business degrees to have entrepreneurship concentrations. Faculty interweave core business topics, diverse electives, and socially conscious entrepreneurial perspectives that develop leaders who recognize the value of diverse and inclusive teams. Graduates leave these programs better equipped to lead in today’s always-evolving economy.

Marketing

Marketing aligns closely with business administration degrees. In some instances, these topics are considered majors in BA programs. However, while marketing degrees account for core business activities, the focus remains on developing student knowledge in branding their business, promoting their products and services, and reaching the right customers.

A marketing degree program often covers specialized classes in marketing strategy and consumer behavior, providing insights into the thinking of the buying economy and helping entrepreneurs understand what makes their products and services attractive to people. As consumer populations diversify, businesses must adopt inclusive marketing strategies that appeal to a wide range of customers.

Marketing graduates typically develop exceptional communication and public relations skills. These invaluable skills include active listening, clear verbal and written communication, understanding non-verbal cues, and adapting to audiences.

Finance

A finance degree equips graduates with essential knowledge in financial planning and management for business. This degree offers students a solid foundation in various aspects of finance, such as corporate finance, investments, and financial institutions. Entrepreneurs can make informed decisions and effectively manage their business operations by understanding economic trends and fluctuations.

Finance programs also often cover specialized topics like entrepreneurial finance, financial analysis, and risk management. This strong and versatile financial background is valuable when starting and running a company. Finance degrees are applicable and in demand across all industries.

Computer science

Future entrepreneurs looking to launch innovative technology, software products, or services will gravitate towards a computer science degree. This degree offers a strong foundation in programming, algorithms, and data structures that can be applied across various industries and business plans.

A computer science degree ensures exposure to technological advancements and their impacts on businesses. Entrepreneurs with this degree can leverage their technical skills to develop software and applications that streamline business operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive innovation.

Psychology

A psychology degree is an often-overlooked choice for aspiring entrepreneurs. However, this degree program offers valuable insights into human behavior and decision-making processes that can be applied to various aspects of a business.

A key benefit of psychology majors is the development of interpersonal and communication skills. These skills are essential for entrepreneurs who need to build strong relationships with clients, partners, and team members. Additionally, this degree typically covers specialized topics such as organizational psychology, consumer behavior, and social psychology, providing invaluable insights into how people interact with products, services, and organizations.

Meridian University’s degree opportunities

Meridian University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the regional accreditor for Stanford University, the University of California at Berkeley, and UCLA. The U.S. Department of Education also approves it for participation in Federal Student Aid programs.

Meridian University provides relevant and holistic degree programs across various specialties that prepare students to lead in the present and future.

MBA in Creative Enterprise

Our MBA in Creative Enterprise recognizes that business needs a new vision. These new perspectives will change how we interact with the world and provide an enriching future. To achieve this, Meridian University students learn to develop themselves and the collective whole for the better. Program graduates have a generative impact in their fields, dealing with today’s technical, social, and dynamic complexity.

To learn more about the MBA in Creative Enterprise, contact an Admissions Advisor or apply today.

Meridian University's Master of Arts in Psychology

Our Master of Arts in Psychology explores human traditions, practices, arts, mythology, wisdom, and philosophy. In addition to offering the core skills and capacities of an accredited program, emphasis is placed on identity transformation and that of an integrated personal and professional life. This contemporary program focuses on embodiment and meaning-making as a dimension critical for living in post-modern society.

To learn more, contact an Admissions Advisor or apply today.

What major has the most entrepreneurs?

According to Guidant, 41% of business owners have a bachelor's degree, with 29% holding a master's degree. Only 10% have an associate, and under 5% have earned a doctorate.

Business and business administration degree programs generally enroll the most entrepreneurs. However, the field you choose may align more directly with your business intent, such as opening a psychology practice or an engineering firm specializing in manufactured products. Any major is acceptable in business if it aligns with your interests and goals.

Conclusion

There is no one correct answer to which major is best for an entrepreneur. When selecting your major, ensure it aligns with your interests and entrepreneurial goals and prepares you to succeed in your own business. Consider whether you can have positive social and generative impacts with the knowledge you gain, and be sure to carefully consider your available time, level of commitment, and ability to successfully work through the degree program's courses.

References:

1. Ekekwe, N. (2014, December 12). Does an Entrepreneur Need a College Degree? Harvard Business Review. Retrieved August 4, 2023, from https://hbr.org/2010/12/does-an-entrepreneur-need-a-co
2. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2023, July 23). Business administration. Wikipedia. Retrieved August 5, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_administration
3. Best Degree Programs (2023, May 1). What Are the Best Degrees for Entrepreneurs. Retrieved August 5, 2023, from https://www.bestdegreeprograms.org/faq/degree-path-entrepreneur/
4. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2023, August 1). Psychology. Wikipedia. Retrieved August 5, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology
5. Guidant (n.d.). 2023 Small Business Trends. Retrieved August 4, 2023, from https://www.guidantfinancial.com/small-business-trends/