Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Richard Branson have something in common, besides being among the world’s most successful business founders: they lack a business degree. So, no, you do not need a business degree to start a business.
However, getting a business degree before launching a business offers a number of advantages that can markedly heighten your chances of entrepreneurial success.
What’s an Associate Business Degree?
Associate business degree programs, such as those we offer at Campus, provide foundational knowledge in business concepts such as customer service, business ethics, management, marketing, and accounting. Typically, they’re two-year programs offered by community colleges and technical schools.
An associate business degree is meant to prepare students for entry-level business positions, or to serve as a stepping stone to a four-year business degree. Some graduates go on to become entrepreneurs.
A business degree, which typically refers to a four-year degree, teaches you how to think strategically, and how to make informed business decisions. This includes human resources management, marketing techniques, and financial statements.
Interested in enrolling at Campus?
Our admissions advisors can answer your questions.
Do You Really Need a Business Degree to Be an Entrepreneur?
Is a degree necessary for entrepreneurs? The answer is clearly no. There are innumerable successful business owners who have built flourishing companies without business schooling or even a college degree. It’s factors such as motivation, practical experience, and creativity that matter most, in addition to a willingness to learn from real-life situations.
However, a business degree teaches valuable skills in problem-solving, management, marketing, and finance that can potentially help you run your business smoother and more confidently.
Benefits of Earning a Business Degree Before Starting a Business
Starting a business without college is definitely possible. Still, a business degree offers a strong foundation for those who aspire to entrepreneurship. It equips them with the skills and knowledge that can help them launch, run, and grow thriving companies across various industries.
Understanding Business Operations
A business degree provides a comprehensive understanding of organizational, operational, and managerial roles, enabling aspiring founders to understand how organizations function from the inside out. With such a degree, you have a firm grasp of how a thriving business operates, ranging from day-to-day operations to marketing and finance.
Financial Literacy
Business school coursework covers accounting, management, and reading and analyzing financial statements, which is essential for making informed business decisions. It generally provides comprehensive and structured training in financial literacy, necessary for professional success.
Strategic Thinking and Problem-Solving
Business students develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, enabling them to come up with effective business approaches and take on challenges as they arise. Strategic thinking and problem solving are core competencies that are emphasized in business school, preparing graduates for complex business environments and to help drive organizational success.
Leadership and Communication
Business programs emphasize teamwork, communication skills, and leadership, all necessary for negotiating with partners, motivating teams, and expressing a business vision.
They provide exposure to management theories and approaches, foster collaboration and research, include ethical considerations, and offer real-world applications. Business programs also focus on public speaking and presentation, feedback, and practical communication tools and techniques.
Marketing and Sales
In business school, students learn the basics of brand building, marketing, and customer engagement, all necessary for recruiting and retaining clients. They gain comprehensive skill development, strategic and analytical thinking, and communication and relationship building. Other benefits include hands-on experience and digital skills, and career advancement in marketing and sales.
Risk Management and Legal Awareness
Coursework commonly includes risk assessment as well as legal considerations, which entrepreneurs need to avoid known pitfalls and ensure compliance. Integrating risk management and legal studies into their programs enables students to learn risk management skills and gain legal awareness.
Confidence and Credibility
You can start a business without college. But not only can earning a business degree boost your confidence, but it can lend credibility when seeking customers, partnerships, or funding. Students gain confidence through knowledge and skill acquisition, experiential learning, leadership development, self-awareness, and a professional presence.
Credibility is gained largely through credential recognition, marketability, trust-building, and an expanded network of like-minded professionals.
Practical Application and Networking
Other benefits to having a business degree can include hands-on experience. Some degree programs provide internships and real-world projects, providing students with practical experience that can be used in their own ventures.
Networking is another potential key benefit. Students have access to faculty and a network of alumni and peers who can provide advice, mentorship, and potential business connections.
Campus: A New Kind of College, Built for Entrepreneurs
At Campus, we believe that entrepreneurship isn’t just taught — it’s lived. That’s why we’ve built more than just a business degree. We’re a new kind of college, founded by an entrepreneur and backed by successful founders and investors who know what it takes to build something from the ground up.
Our two-year Business Administration degrees — including our unique concentration in Applied AI — are designed for aspiring founders who want real-world skills, not just theory. You’ll learn live from instructors who teach at top schools like Stanford and UCLA, and connect with a personal coach who’s invested in your goals.
And if you’re looking to launch something while you learn, get inspired by The Grind, our series that gave students a chance to pitch, build, and scale their own business ideas — with feedback from real entrepreneurs.*
So whether you're planning to start a business tomorrow or just planting the seed today, Campus gives you the tools, support, and network to make it happen.
Ready to build something real? Apply to Campus today.
*Participation in The Grind startup is not guaranteed and may be subject to application, availability, and/or instructor recommendation. Outcomes may vary by student and are not indicative of future success. Please consult with Campus advisors for eligibility details.