Top Concentrations for Your Business Degree: Marketing, Finance, or Management

An online business degree concentration offered through LSU Online empowers students to lead by combining core business fundamentals with in-demand skills in marketing, finance, and management. 

With several focus areas to choose from, it’s important to understand how each concentration aligns with your personal strengths and professional goals. Each path offers unique strengths, career opportunities, and long-term value, making it essential to understand what sets them apart before choosing your focus. 

Whether you're looking to analyze financial markets, lead dynamic teams, or shape a brand’s voice, your choice of concentration can serve as a strategic foundation for future success.

Why Business Degree Concentrations Matter

A concentration transforms a general business degree into a career-specific tool. 

Instead of a broad curriculum alone, you gain targeted expertise that helps you compete for roles requiring deeper subject knowledge. In today’s job market, where employers prioritize both adaptability and specialized skills, selecting a concentration shows you're committed to mastering a particular area of business.

Concentration spotlight: marketing

Marketing is a dynamic, creative, and data-driven field focused on understanding consumers and crafting messages that resonate. Students in this concentration explore how brands are built, how products are positioned, and how campaigns are executed across digital and traditional platforms.

Key topics often include:

• Consumer behavior and market research
• Branding and integrated marketing communications
• Digital marketing, social media strategy, and SEO
• Analytics, performance tracking, and campaign optimization

Marketing careers offer flexibility and constant innovation, from roles in advertising and public relations to digital strategy and content creation. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median pay for marketing managers is $159,660 per year, with 8% job growth expected through 2033.

Concentration spotlight: finance

Finance is ideal for those who enjoy working with numbers, analyzing markets, and solving problems with real-world implications. This concentration emphasizes quantitative analysis, financial modeling, and economic forecasting to prepare students for roles where precision and strategy intersect.

Common areas of study include:

• Corporate finance and investment analysis
• Risk management and financial planning
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Banking, insurance, and asset management

A finance concentration can lead to careers as financial analysts, budget analysts, investment bankers, or financial advisors. 

The BLS reports that financial analysts earn a median salary of about $101,910 annually, with job growth projected at 9% through 2033.

Concentration spotlight: management

Management is the cornerstone of any business operation. This concentration focuses on leadership development, organizational behavior, and strategic planning — skills needed to oversee projects, teams, and departments in a wide variety of industries.

Core subject areas often include:

• Organizational leadership and team dynamics
• Operations and supply chain management
• Human resources and workplace culture
• Strategic decision-making and business ethics

Management roles are broad and often lead to opportunities in operations, human resources, and general leadership positions. 

The median annual salary for general and operations managers is $85,602, according to ZipRecruiter. 

How to Decide on the Right Concentration

When choosing a business degree concentration, think beyond your academic interests. 

Ask yourself:

• What type of work energizes you? Creative campaigns, financial analysis, or leading people and systems?
• Are you looking for roles in a fast-changing, high-growth industry?
• Do you prefer working independently with data or collaboratively with teams?

You can also consider the industries that appeal to you most. 

Marketing professionals are found across agencies, tech startups, and nonprofits. 

Finance specialists may gravitate toward banking, insurance, or corporate planning. 

Managers are essential in nearly every sector, from retail to healthcare.

If you’re still exploring your options, our Enrollment Coaches can help you understand how each path aligns with your goals and interests. 

Talking through your long-term vision can make it easier to decide which concentration will support the career you want to build.

Why Choose LSU Online?

The LSU system offers flexible online degree options through LSU Online — a group of accredited, top-tier universities leading the charge in distance learning innovation. 

LSU is committed to helping students accelerate their career goals through high-quality, affordable programs that combine academic excellence with real-world application.

Every program is designed to provide the same degree and academic rigor as its on-campus equivalent, delivered in a convenient online format. With asynchronous coursework, support from accessible faculty, and resources tailored to working adults, LSU Online creates a personalized, one-of-a-kind learning experience for every student.

FAQs About Business Degree Concentrations

What are business degree concentrations?

A business degree concentration is a focused area of study that allows students to gain expertise in a specific field, such as marketing, finance, or management. 

A business degree concentration offered through LSU Online helps students align their education with targeted career paths.

Do business degree concentrations affect job opportunities?

Yes. Employers often seek candidates with specialized knowledge for roles that demand advanced skills. 

LSU’s online business degree concentrations give students a competitive edge by offering focused training that meets current industry needs.

Can I switch concentrations later?

In most cases, switching is possible but may affect your graduation timeline. 

Business degree concentrations offered through LSU Online are structured to help students start with foundational business courses and move into their concentration, which allows for some flexibility early in the program.

Are these programs fully online?

Yes. LSU offers 100% online business degree concentrations, enabling students to study from anywhere while maintaining work and personal responsibilities.

Take the Next Step Toward Your Business Career

If you're ready to advance your career, explore online business programs — offered through LSU Online — and find the concentration that matches your strengths and goals. 

With flexible learning options and industry-relevant curricula, LSU Online can help you gain the skills, confidence, and credentials to thrive in a competitive business landscape.

Request information to learn more about our specialized business degree options.