North Carolina Community Colleges
Business Administration Programs
Business administration courses across community colleges in this state, covering management, accounting, marketing, and economics.
51 colleges · 2575 sections · 85 unique courses · Spring 2026
Business administration is the most-completed associate degree at North Carolina community colleges, and the most flexible — graduates step into operations and management roles at small businesses, transfer to four-year business schools, or use the degree as a foundation for an MBA. Across 51 NCCCS institutions, this term's 2575 sections cover management, marketing, finance, accounting, and economics — the same core curriculum a four-year business school would expect in years 1 and 2.
The associate degree typically takes two years full-time and articulates cleanly to most North Carolina four-year business programs, so students can complete the first half of a BBA at community college tuition rates before transferring. Compare colleges below by award counts, online section availability, and graduate earnings to find the best fit.
Earnings & outcomes for Business Administration graduates
Federal College Scorecard data on what graduates of this program actually earn after completion. Where a school’s cohort is too small to publish, we show the national benchmark for the same field of study.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, per-program (4-digit CIP) data. CIP 5202 — Business Administration, Management and Operations. School cohorts are suppressed by the federal source when fewer than ~30 completers in the reporting cohort.
Colleges offering Business Administration
Business Administration Availability Snapshot
How business administration sections are being offered across 51 colleges in North Carolina this term (2575 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person1229 (48%)
- online1158 (45%)
- zoom127 (5%)
- hybrid61 (2%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)425
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)183
- Evening (5 PM and after)82
- Asynchronous / TBA1885
Start dates
Sections begin on 34 distinct dates. 927 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 775 distinct instructors across 51 colleges.
Common Business Administration courses
- BUS 110Introduction to Business(301 sections)
- ECO 251Prin of Microeconomics(300 sections)
- ACC 120Prin of Financial Accounting(222 sections)
- ECO 252Prin of Macroeconomics(200 sections)
- BUS 137Principles of Management(181 sections)
- BUS 115Business Law I(171 sections)
- ACC 121Prin of Managerial Accounting(158 sections)
- MKT 120Principles of Marketing(104 sections)
- BUS 153Human Resource Management(59 sections)
- BUS 125Personal Finance(56 sections)
- ACC 150Accounting Software Appl(46 sections)
- BUS 225Business Finance(45 sections)
Career outlook for Business Administration graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare North Carolina’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
North Carolina's typical pay for this occupation is roughly in line with the national picture.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I get an associate in business or transfer to a four-year school first?
- For most students, completing the associate first is cheaper — North Carolina community college tuition is a fraction of four-year tuition, and the first two years of a BBA are largely general-education and intro business courses that transfer 1:1. The exception is students aiming for elite business schools that prefer freshmen admits.
- What jobs can I get with an associate in business?
- Office manager, assistant manager, sales representative, account coordinator, bookkeeper, and administrative supervisor are common entry points. Many graduates use the degree to formalize an existing role they were promoted into — companies often cover or reimburse the associate's tuition for employees moving from hourly to salaried positions.
- Does business credit transfer to a North Carolina four-year university?
- Yes. Most NCCCS business associate programs are articulated to the major state university business school under a guaranteed-transfer agreement. Compare colleges below — some have stronger transfer partnerships than others, and the right college can save you a full semester at four-year tuition rates.
- How long does an associate in business take?
- Two years full-time (4 semesters of 15 credits each), or three to four years part-time. Many North Carolina programs offer evening and online sections specifically for working students completing the degree alongside a full-time job.
Compare Business Administration programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how North Carolina’s business administration programs stack up.
Other programs in North Carolina
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.