Forge Your Own Path in Business
Discover which business degree pathway is best for your career goals. Apply online at GCU!
Discover which business degree pathway is best for your career goals. Apply online at GCU!
Speak with a University Counselor today.
Approved and verified accurate by the Program Manager of the Colangelo College of Business on Jan. 6, 2026.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
Business pathways comprise the route you take to pursue a business-related career. You might earn a business degree or certificate in areas such as accounting, finance, human resources or hospitality management, for example.
The business world is full of diverse opportunities, and business degree pathways are equally varied. Before you can enroll in a business pathway program in college, you’ll need to spend some time thinking about which specific field interests you and where your strengths lie.
No matter which degree program you choose, you can be confident of the value of higher education. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)’s 2023 Recruiting Benchmarks Survey, 70% of entry-level jobs required a bachelor’s degree. Today’s college graduates also understand the importance of pursuing higher education, with 91% of graduating seniors surveyed by NACE stating that they would choose to earn a degree again if given the opportunity.(See disclaimer 1)
Before forging your own path with a college degree, take a closer look at business program pathways and reflect on your options.
Pathways for business can be defined in different ways from one college to another. Some educational institutions may view a pathway as a specific series of courses taken to prepare for pursuing a degree program.
Pathways aren’t always this structured, however. Often, the term business pathways simply refers to a method of achieving a goal, such as a career goal. For example, if you’d like to pursue a career in human resources, you might enroll in a degree program designed for that purpose — this constitutes your pathway toward your career goal.
Business degrees are popular among both students and professionals returning to school because they can offer a high return on investment (ROI). The average ROI for a bachelor’s degree in any business field is 1,033%.(See disclaimer 2 )For a business finance degree, the average ROI is 1,842%.(See disclaimer 3) While these statistics do not guarantee anything, they do point to promising trends.
A business degree offers other potential benefits, such as:(See disclaimer 4)
Not everyone takes the same pathway toward pursuing a business career. Some options include:
Community colleges typically offer associate degrees in areas such as business. An associate degree generally takes less time to complete than a bachelor’s degree, as there are fewer required credits. Consequently, the curriculum isn’t as broad or as in-depth. Some students who earn an associate degree in business may later decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree or additional coursework.
A bachelor’s degree is a starting point for many future business professionals. It’s possible to earn a bachelor’s degree in a broad subject area, such as business management or business administration. However, you could alternatively choose to earn a bachelor’s in a more focused area, such as finance or marketing.
Specialized programs like certificate programs do not confer academic degrees. Instead, they often serve as add-ons. For example, you might earn a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship and then earn a Graduate Certificate in Servant Leadership to more closely examine leadership competencies.
A certificate program can also allow you to explore a particular area to see if it interests you before committing to a full degree program. For instance, if you’re interested in cybersecurity management, you might earn an Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Foundations before deciding to apply to a related bachelor’s degree.
Not every student stays with their declared major or school for the entirety of their pathway program. If you feel that your current pathway doesn’t suit your needs or interests, you can apply to transfer to another school.
Grand Canyon University welcomes students who are interested in a transfer pathway program. Students can apply to transfer to GCU from a community college or another university.
Every college maintains its own requirements and procedures for transfer students. At GCU, the transfer process is as follows:
A business transfer pathway can enable you to switch majors, either from a non-business field to a business field or from one business specialization to another. You may find something that is a better fit for your strengths and interests. Plus, transferring credits can prevent you from having to complete the same type of course more than once.
With all of these choices, how can you know which business career pathway is best for you? Start with determining which type of program is best suited to your interests.
For example, you might choose an associate degree in business with the goal of using a transfer pathway program to transfer into a bachelor’s degree later. Or, you might decide to start with a bachelor’s degree and then add on a certificate program.
You should also consider whether you’d like to attend school on campus or online. There are benefits to both approaches. As an online student, you’ll have more flexibility. Plus, you can attend college anywhere without having to move. As an on-campus student, you can benefit from in-person interactions and more robust networking opportunities.
Next, narrow down your choices according to your specific interests. If you enjoy working with numbers, consider becoming an accounting major. If you’d like to merge creativity with data-driven decisions, consider pursuing a marketing degree.
There are plenty of specialization options to consider. A specialization or concentration can be a good choice for students who are interested in a subfield or a particular career within business. Consider the following subfields and emphases:
An accounting pathway may interest students who enjoy working with numbers. You might earn a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, for example, or you might consider an emphasis program in a particular area of accounting. These include the Bachelor of Science in Accounting with an Emphasis in Public Accounting.
There are multiple options for students interested in a pathway in marketing. A BS in Professional Sales and Marketing will focus on engagement with prospects, customers and suppliers. If you’d like to focus more on marketing and advertising and less on sales strategies, consider earning a BS in Marketing and Advertising.
Lastly, if you’re interested in a transfer pathway program, consider the BS in Applied Marketing and Advertising. This particular degree at GCU is designed for students who have already taken courses in this area and is a transfer-friendly version of the BS in Marketing and Advertising.
A finance pathway may interest you if you’re passionate about money management. Consider earning a Bachelor of Science in Finance degree, which explores everything from portfolio management to banking. Or, you might prefer to earn a BS in Finance with an Emphasis in Financial Planning.
There are many business degree pathways specifically for students interested in potential management careers. Consider the following options:
While you’re considering your degree pathway options, you’ll want to reflect closely on your career aspirations. Review the following business career opportunities, salary potential and job outlook to help guide your decision on which pathway may be best for you.
Given how broad the business world is and how many different industries it encompasses, it should come as no surprise that there is a diverse range of opportunities to choose from. Some popular areas in business include:
Salary expectations and job outlook can vary considerably from one business occupation to the next. In addition, each professional’s own experiences can vary greatly, as salary expectations depend on many factors like geographic location, years of experience and employer.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), accountants and auditors made a median annual salary of $81,680 as of May 2024.(See disclaimer 5 )The job growth rate for accountants and auditors is projected at 5% from 2024 through 2034, faster than average.(See disclaimer 6)
According to the BLS, advertising, promotions and marketing managers made a median annual salary of $159,660 as of May 2024.(See disclaimer 7) The job growth rate for these professionals is projected at 6% from 2024 through 2034, faster than average.(See disclaimer 8)
According to the BLS, human resources managers made a median annual salary of $140,030 as of May 2024.(See disclaimer 9) Their projected job growth rate is 5% from 2024 through 2034, faster than average.(See disclaimer 10)
Grand Canyon University is here to help you achieve your academic goals. With a wide range of business degrees and certificate programs, the Colangelo College of Business provides many different pathway options.
