Business/Commerce, General.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Business/Commerce, General.: The DTI for this program is 54.2%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Business/Commerce, General., compare your expected starting salary (currently $45332) to the average debt ($24564) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Business/Commerce, General.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 54.2%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Business/Commerce, General., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($45332) against the typical student debt ($24564), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Considering Business/Commerce, General.? This major is known for its blend of hands-on learning and career-ready skills. Graduates often start out earning $45332, and with an average student debt of $24564, the debt-to-income ratio is 0.54—pretty reasonable for most students.
With more than 57204 students earning this degree each year, you’ll be part of a vibrant community. Many alumni pursue roles like Project Management Specialists, a career path projected to grow by 6.0% soon. Whether you’re interested in job security, making a difference, or just want a degree that opens doors, Business/Commerce, General. is a smart choice. Don’t forget: internships, networking, and campus involvement can make your experience even more valuable.
Degree Overview
Business/Commerce, General (CIP 52.0101) is a foundational, highly versatile business degree designed to provide students with a broad and practical understanding of how organizations operate, compete, and grow. This CIP code represents general business programs that emphasize core commercial knowledge, transferable skills, and real-world applicability rather than deep specialization in a single business function.
At its core, business is about value creation—identifying opportunities, organizing resources, making decisions, and delivering products or services that meet market needs. A general business degree teaches students how money, people, strategy, operations, and markets interact. Instead of training students for one narrow role, this degree prepares them to adapt across industries, roles, and economic cycles.
This field is especially popular because it offers flexibility. Graduates can move into corporate roles, startups, small businesses, nonprofits, sales, operations, management, or entrepreneurship. It is often chosen by students who want strong career options without locking themselves into a single job title early on.
What Is a Business/Commerce, General Degree?
A Business/Commerce, General degree is a broad-based business education that covers the fundamental areas required to understand and manage organizations. Unlike specialized majors such as accounting, finance, or marketing, this program emphasizes a balanced overview of all major business functions.
Programs under CIP 52.0101 typically include coursework in:
- Management and organizational behavior
- Accounting and financial fundamentals
- Marketing and consumer behavior
- Economics and market analysis
- Operations and supply chain basics
- Business law and ethics
- Strategy and competitive analysis
- Business communication and professionalism
The goal is to develop graduates who can see the “big picture” of how businesses work and contribute effectively in a wide range of roles.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
Business/Commerce, General is well-suited for students who:
- Want flexibility in career options
- Are interested in leadership or management roles
- Enjoy problem-solving and decision-making
- May want to start or run a business one day
- Are unsure which business specialty to choose
- Want a degree applicable across industries
This degree often appeals to students who prefer practical skills and broad knowledge over narrow technical specialization.
What Will You Learn?
Students in 52.0101 programs learn how businesses function internally and interact with markets, customers, employees, and regulators. Coursework emphasizes applied thinking, communication, and data-informed decision-making.
You will learn how organizations plan, budget, market products, manage people, analyze performance, and adapt to competition and change.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most programs help students develop skills such as:
- Understanding financial statements and budgets
- Communicating clearly in professional settings
- Analyzing business problems and opportunities
- Managing projects and teams
- Applying ethical reasoning in business decisions
- Interpreting market and economic trends
- Using basic data and performance metrics
- Adapting strategies in changing environments
These skills are valuable in nearly every industry and role.
Topics You May Explore
Coursework commonly includes subjects such as:
- Principles of management
- Financial and managerial accounting
- Marketing fundamentals
- Microeconomics and macroeconomics
- Business statistics and data analysis
- Business law and regulatory environments
- Organizational behavior and leadership
- Strategic planning and competition
- Entrepreneurship and innovation
- Professional writing and presentations
Many programs allow students to add electives or concentrations to explore interests like entrepreneurship, marketing, or international business.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
A Business/Commerce, General degree opens the door to a wide range of entry-level and mid-level business roles.
Common career paths include:
- Business Analyst or Operations Analyst
- Marketing or Sales Representative
- Project Coordinator or Manager
- Operations or Supply Chain Associate
- Human Resources or Recruiting Coordinator
- Account Manager or Client Services Specialist
- Management Trainee
- Entrepreneur or Small Business Owner
With experience, graduates often move into leadership, management, or specialized roles.
Where Can You Work?
Graduates work across virtually every sector of the economy, including:
- Corporations and large enterprises
- Small businesses and startups
- Nonprofit organizations
- Government agencies
- Retail and e-commerce companies
- Finance, insurance, and real estate
- Technology and software companies
- Healthcare and education organizations
This degree is especially valuable because every organization needs business expertise.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary widely based on role, industry, and experience, but business graduates generally enjoy strong long-term earning potential.
Typical ranges include:
- Entry-level business roles: $45,000–$60,000 annually
- Mid-level analysts or managers: $65,000–$90,000+
- Senior managers or business leaders: $100,000+ depending on industry
Career growth is often tied to performance, leadership ability, and continued skill development.
Is This Degree Hard?
The academic difficulty of this degree is moderate. It is less math-intensive than fields like engineering or finance-heavy programs, but it requires strong organization, communication, and critical thinking skills.
Success depends on the ability to synthesize information, work in teams, manage time effectively, and apply concepts to real-world scenarios.
Who Should Choose CIP 52.0101 Specifically?
This CIP code may be a strong match if you:
- Want a practical, career-oriented degree
- Prefer flexibility over narrow specialization
- Are interested in leadership or entrepreneurship
- Want skills that apply across industries
- May pursue an MBA or specialized business degree later
How to Prepare in High School
Students interested in business should:
- Take economics, math, or accounting courses if available
- Develop strong writing and presentation skills
- Participate in clubs like DECA or student government
- Learn basic spreadsheet and data skills
- Explore entrepreneurship or part-time work opportunities
Business/Commerce, General represents one of the most adaptable and marketable degrees available—providing foundational business knowledge, career flexibility, and a launchpad into leadership, entrepreneurship, or advanced business study across virtually any industry.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
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