While a business degree provides a comprehensive business foundation, a double major broadens your knowledge and can give you extra skills employers value.

Your best double major for business management is the one that deepens your understanding of the discipline through specialized coursework in a subset of business. We discuss popular picks below.

How long does it take to double-major?

A double major may not extend your time in college if program requirements overlap significantly. Double-majoring in an aspect of business like accounting, finance, or management often means many core classes count toward both degrees. 

Some colleges and universities offer business double majors designed to take only four years. The University of Texas at Dallas, for example, offers a 128-credit hour bachelor of science in global business and marketing, while Chapman University has an accounting and business double major.

However, if your second major has few overlapping courses with your first, you may spend extra semesters in school or take summer classes to complete both.

Best double majors for business

The best double majors for business management build valuable skills and may open lucrative career opportunities. 

No one double major meets the needs of every student. Different combinations all have unique advantages to offer. Consider your interests and career goals, and don't discount unusual combinations.

Economics

Why it's a good fit:An economics major pairs well with a business degree because many foundational courses overlap. Double-majoring in business and economics leads to a deeper understanding of resource allocation, wealth, and economic systems worldwide. An economics double major may be a good match if international business appeals to you. 

Challenges:An economics major usually means additional classes in statistics and analytics alongside coursework in economic policy. You should be interested in topics like labor, economic development, and government and industry.

Potential careers for double majors:Business analyst, financial advisor, financial manager

A second language

Why it's a good fit:Majoring in a second language alongside business is invaluable if you want to work in international business. Knowing multiple languages may open employment opportunities around the world. Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, and Hindi rank among the top five spoken languages globally, making any of them a good choice.

Challenges:Learning a language is challenging and gets harder with age. Alongside coursework, a language degree requires practice that can take up significant time. Previous experience in a second language greatly benefits students who choose this double major.

Potential careers for double majors:International business consultant, global operations manager, human resource specialist 

Marketing

Why it's a good fit:A marketing degree trains you to brand, advertise, and sell goods and services. As a double major for business, marketing increases your understanding of global marketing techniques, strategy, and research. It also builds data analysis skills.

Challenges:Marketing requires technological savvy, analytical skills, and embracing change. Marketing careers focus on promotion and advertising, which may not match your personal goals. A marketing and business double major may also require travel.

Potential careers for double majors:Marketing manager, market research analyst, brand coordinator 

Accounting

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Why it's a good fit:This double major teaches accounting's nitty-gritty details, not just the overview a business major offers. An in-person or online accounting degree equips you to create financial reports, manage revenue, prepare tax documents, and perform audits. Uniting the degrees makes you a valuable part of any business environment. 

Challenges:Accounting requires a lot of math and statistics, may seem mundane, and can be stressful as a career due to busy seasons and tight deadlines. Becoming a certified public accountant requires additional coursework and training beyond a bachelor's degree. 

Potential careers for double majors:Business accountant, internal auditor, accounting manager

Public relations

Why it's a good fit:A public relations degree emphasizes communication skills alongside research and strategic planning acumen. A double major with public relations prepares you to write and speak appropriately, responsibly, and effectively. You also learn about crisis communication, customer relations, and negotiation