Our Mission

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

LET'S TALK ABOUT DECA

DECA is organized into two unique student divisions each with programs designed to address the learning styles, interest and focus of its members.

315,413
High School Members
4,483
High School Chapters
4,388
Collegiate Members
208
Collegiate Chapters

Our Guiding Principles

Innovative Learning to Engage Students


The DECA experience starts in the classroom where students learn business concepts in preparation for college and careers. A powerful instructional component, DECA brings the classroom to life by empowering the teacher-advisor to make learning relevant with educational programs that integrate into classroom instruction, apply learning, connect to business and promote competition. The successful integration of each of these four interconnected components, also part of DECA’s guiding principles, results in a strong program that produces college- and career-ready students.

DECA’s Comprehensive Learning Program...

Integrates into Classroom Instruction

An integral component of classroom instruction, DECA activities provide authentic, experiential learning methods to prepare members for college and careers.

Applies Learning

DECA members put their knowledge into action through rigorous project-based activities that require creative solutions with practical outcomes.

Connects to Business

Partnerships with businesses at local and broader levels provide DECA members realistic insight into industry and promote meaningful, relevant learning.

Promotes Competition

As in the global economy, a spark of competition drives DECA members to excel and improve their performance.

DECA Prepares the Next Generation to Be...

Academically Prepared

DECA members are ambitious, high-achieving leaders equipped to conquer the challenges of their aspirations

Community Oriented

Recognizing the benefit of service and responsibility to the community, DECA members continually impact and improve their local and broader communities.

Professionally Responsible

DECA members are poised professionals with ethics, integrity and high standards.

Experienced Leaders

DECA members are empowered through experience to provide effective leadership through goal setting, consensus building and project implementation.

Our Members

Emerging Leaders Focused on the Future

Our diverse, highly-motivated DECA members have college and career interests that closely align to our program areas. DECA members understand the need for career preparation and choose to enroll in more business courses than other business students.

College Major
DECA
National
Business/Management
38.2%
15.0%
Marketing/Advertising
21.4%
4.0%
Entrepreneurship
12.0%
5.0%
Finance
10.6%
2.0%
Accounting
10.6%
4.0%
Economics
9.2%
3.0%
Communications
3.4%
2.0%
Travel/Hospitality
2.4%
2.0%
Career Plans
DECA
National
Business/Management
44.2%
18.0%
Entrepreneurship
41.0%
21.0%
Marketing Communications
31.8%
10.0%
Race/Ethnicity
White/Caucasian
50.1%
Latino/Hispanic
16.6%
Black
12.7%
Asian
11.7%
Middle-Eastern
1.5%
American Indian
0.6%
Other
6.8%
Gender
Female
53.5%
Male
45.9%
Other
0.7%