The Difference Between BBA and BS in Business Degrees

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BBA AND BS IN BUSINESS DEGREES

A bachelor’s degree can be required to apply for jobs in business administration. And having a degree that’s specifically focused on the field can set you apart from other job candidates.
So if you want a bachelor’s education in business, what’s the right degree to get? The answer depends on what you want to do, says Strayer University business full-time faculty member Marilyn Carroll, PhD. Among the most popular are: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA).

WHAT IS A BSBA?

A BSBA goes into a narrower range of topics but at a deeper level. Courses are focused on acquiring financial and technical skills. Individuals may take courses in ethics, leadership, law, statistics, economics, and corporate finance. The degree prepares you to transform business intelligence into actionable strategies. “With a bachelor’s of science degree, you’ll learn more about the ‘science of business,’” Carroll explains.

WHAT IS A BBA?

A BBA gives students a broad understanding of how companies function. You’ll learn general principles for how businesses operate and develop skills in communication and business decision-making. Courses may include: ethics, management, marketing, economics, and law.

“The degree is focused on business administration,” Carroll says. “You might have to take basic math and algebra courses, but you won’t be required to do calculus and courses related to advanced finance.” The degree can be used in a wide variety of workplaces, Carroll says. Individuals with a BBA can work in a wide variety of fields. Strayer offers concentrations in accounting, contract management, finance, human resource management, marketing, retail management, and more.