Is a business major hard? - The Advisor | Tippie College of Business

Is a business major hard? Did you really think it’d be easy?

Is a business major a hard major? It's hard…to say.

Chances are, if you’re asking that question, you already know the answer. To be good at anything takes effort. You’ve heard the sayings “Nothing in life comes easy” and “The bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward.” As you’ll read, a business major can reap rewards: pay, promotions, responsibility, respect. But it takes hard work, both in college and after, to get there.

So is a business major a hard major in college? Let’s look deeper, then you can answer for yourself.

Is a business major worth it? Here are six figures.

You want to know if a business major is worth the work. Will a business degree be worth your time, money, and effort? Will it pay off in the end?

Hardest and easiest business courses aside, according to The National Association of Colleges and Employers¹ a business major is not only worth the effort, but it’s a great investment in your future. The association reports that business graduates from the Class of 2024 average 3% higher salaries than the Class of 2023—up to $63,907 per year.

$ 63,907

Average salary of business graduates from the Class of 2024

And if you want to know what’s the best business major with the biggest numbers, according to Forbes,² the three highest-paying industries for 2024 are finance and banking, information technology, and healthcare. Within finance, there are many high-paying positions, including:

Chief Financial Officer (average salary $435,559)
Hedge fund manager (average salary $139,033)
Private equity associate (average salary $107,039)

Is business hard to study? Pssst... it’s not supposed to be easy.

Major in business and you’re sure to have classes that are difficult, some that might seem easy, and others that are just right. Think the three bears.

Each of the business majors is different. Classes you took in high school, previous positions you’ve held, and your professional aspirations all play a role in how you adapt to the structure and stresses of business studies. Marketing might be easier than finance. Economics harder than accounting. Or maybe the opposite. Instead of easy vs hard, think about your end goal. What do you want to do after graduation and what it’s going to take to get there.

“I chose to study business because of how many opportunities in this field there are, and because a degree in business builds lifelong skills that can translate into all other areas of life.”
Tommy Stroud, finance major at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business

The Advisor

What's the best business major?

Is a business major a hard major?
Is international business a good degree?
Are business majors worth it?

What’s the highest paid business major?

What is the best business major for the future?

Is there a shortage of business major jobs?

How challenging is a business major? As difficult as you make it.

Replace ‘business’ with another subject. How challenging is an English major? A class on Shakespeare may seem impossible, while a poetry or creative writing class may seem like a breeze. Or vice versa. Any major will have its challenges and successes. School choice will play a role. The professors you select will make a difference, along with the classes they teach.

Maybe math is a weak point for you and you’re fretting over, “Is a business major a lot of math in college?” Instead, look at your college years as the chance to refine what you’re already good at–your strengths–and really dive into your weaknesses. Become a math expert.

Keep in mind that there will be surprises along the way, regardless of your chosen major.

“I was surprised that Business Analytics focuses heavily on coding skills,” says Molly Siebenaler, Marketing and Business Analytics & Information Systems double major at the University of Iowa. “While I have always loved trying new things with technology, I never saw myself leaving college knowing more than 5 programming languages!”

Back to Shakespeare, “Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness.” Accept the challenges and make the most of your time in college, regardless of the major you choose. Be great.