Building Business Knowledge Without a Degree

50 Best Business Administration Degrees

Are you ready to find your fit?

"Business is booming!"

So the saying goes. Maybe you've heard these three magic words from an entrepreneur, a supply chain manager, a local business guru, a restaurant owner, or CFO. All businesses have their ups and downs.

But when we here at College Choice say business is booming, we mean the field of business in general and the degrees that lead to successful careers in the industry. And right now, all indications are that business is as good as ever! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, business and financial occupations are expected to grow about 8 percent over the next 10 years, and feature a starting earning potential anywhere from the $60,000 range to well into the $100,000s.

But that's just business in general. There is always the opportunity for greater earning potential depending on what you decide to specialize in. If you aspire to a chief executive position, for instance, you can expect earnings approaching the $200,000s.

Featured Business Programs

We at College Choice are big proponents of getting your bachelor's degree before diving into the business world. There is a big push for entrepreneurs in particular to bypass the degree, but a traditional four-year degree will prepare you for as many scenarios as possible . . . and potentially introduce you to interests you might not even know you have! Business majors can end up specializing in any number of subfields: accounting, management, finance, administration, sales, marketing . . . the list goes on, and it's a wise move to expose yourself to as many of them as possible.

Not all programs are created equal, however. In fact, where you get your degree from can matter a great deal. That's where we come in. We've compiled a list of the top 50 bachelors of business administration with your needs in mind. The first thing we want to know, like you, is the bottom line: how much is this going to set me back? So we've included the annual tuition for each school right up front for you. We've also included our College Choice Score, which is computed based on each school's reputation in the field and its return on investment. The end result is a list of schools that balance cost, reputation, and, ultimately, what they can do for you and your unique goals.

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What are the Best Business Administration Degrees?

The rankings you're about to read are based on a few important sources. The first source is actual college freshman polled during a nationwide survey published by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA. These students rated academic reputation, financial aid offerings, overall cost of school, and the survey also took into account graduate success rates in the post-college job market. These factors were weighed equally alongside data from other publicly available sources, including U.S. News & World Report, the National Center for Education Statistics, and PayScale.com.

Business is still booming. Are you ready?

Best Business Administration Degrees

See our rankings methodology page.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

   The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a private institution founded in 1861 and located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of the world's premier institutions for technical learning, and its business programs are no exception. It is particularly well known for its graduate programs, including the School of Engineering and Sloan School of Management, as well as their programs in economics, psychology, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, physics and mathematics. MIT has a highly active research community whose expenditures regularly exceed $650 million annually through relationships with private and public agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Defense.

   MIT's Sloan School of Management, which houses MIT's undergraduate business program, focuses on equipping its students with the tools needed to lead a team, manage a complex organization, or start a company. The program emphasizes hands-on, practical knowledge, and it tailors its curriculum to each student's unique interests and assists them in obtaining summer internships, post-grad employment, or owning their own small business. MIT has a student/faculty ratio of 8:1 and with 67.3 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. MIT's freshman retention rate is 98 and 91 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

2. University of California Berkeley

   Founded in 1868, University of California Berkeley is a public institution and the flagship school of the University of California system. Its undergraduate population has started to approach 30,000 in recent years. Composed of fourteen schools and colleges, including a number of graduate and professional schools, Berkeley is regularly recognized in a wide variety of disciplines, such as journalism, business, and medicine. It is particularly well known for its graduate programs, which include the Haas School of Business, Graduate School of Education, College of Engineering and School of Law.

   Business students at Berkeley will find a home in the Haas School of Business, which is the second-oldest business school in the country. Berkeley prepares its students for both entering the business world right after graduation and proceeding to graduate study in business and management depending on the student's interest. University of California—Berkeley has a student/faculty ratio of 17:1 and with 59 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Cal's freshman retention rate is 97 percent and 91 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

3. University of Minnesota Twin Cities, the flagship school of the public University of Minnesota system, was founded in 1851. Its undergraduate enrollment is just shy of 35,000 students, and several of its schools have achieved national recognition for excellence, including the Carlson School of Management, College of Education and Human Development and law school. It has a highly active research community, and it begins to involve students in these endeavors at an early stage, with some students receiving paid research opportunities upon acceptance to the university. Students can also benefit from an extensive off-campus and study abroad program, which includes over 200 partner institutions in the U.S. and Canada.

   Business students at the University of Minnesota will study in the Carlson School of Management, which encourages interested students to begin their business studies as soon as possible. First-year students are introduced to introductory business courses in their first semester on the way to earning a Bachelor of Science in Business degree. University of Minnesota offers 10 major areas of study in its business program. It has a student/faculty ratio of 17:1 and with 38.2 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Minnesota's freshman retention rate is 91 percent and 78 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

4. University of Michigan Ann Arbor needs little introduction in a list of best business schools. Founded in 1817, it is consistently ranked in the top management programs in the country, and its undergraduate enrollment approaches 30,000. Michigan's graduate programs are held in particularly high esteem, including the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, School of Education, College of Engineering, Law School, Medical School, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, School of Public Health and School of Nursing in addition to the well-regarded School of Dentistry and Taubman College for Architecture and Urban Planning. The University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers is also recognized as one of the top hospitals in the country.

   The Ross School of Business, which features one of the top MBA programs in the country, is renowned for its training in leadership development, entrepreneurship, a commitments to sustainability, social impact, and positive business. Its undergraduate business curriculum is no different, and students can participate in over 70 student organizations affiliated with Ross. University of Michigan has a student/faculty ratio of 15:1 and with 48.1 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. UM's freshman retention rate is 97 percent and 91 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

5. University of Texas at Austin

   The University of Texas at Austin is the flagship school of the University of Texas system, and it was founded in 1883. Its undergraduate population of over 39,000 makes it the largest of the schools in our top five, and one of the larger schools on our list. Texas is composed of 18 schools and colleges, with the College of Liberal Arts being the largest. UT is also well known for its many graduate programs, which include the McCombs School of Business, College of Education, Cockrell School of Engineering, College of Fine Arts, School of Nursing, College of Pharmacy and School of Social Work. The School of Architecture is likewise a leader in its field. Like the University of Minnesota, UT has an extensive study abroad program, which includes destinations such as Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, France, and China.

   The McCombs School of Business is the home of UT's undergraduate business program, and it has much to commend it. In addition to well-respected classroom instruction, UT also brings its 80,000-member alumni network to bear on future opportunities for its graduates. Students pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration at McCombs and have the option of 10 different major areas of study. McCombs also offers an honors program as well as a BBA-MPA program. University of Texas has a student/faculty ratio of 18:1 and with 36.5 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Texas's freshman retention rate is 94 percent and 81 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

6. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was founded in 1867. It is the flagship school of the University of Illinois system, and its undergraduate enrollment well exceeds 30,000 students. It is nationally recognized for excellence in both graduate and undergraduate areas, particularly the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, College of Engineering and Department of Psychology. Its business, education, and law programs are likewise well regarded. Its research activity is ranked among the highest in the country, and its programs are distributed among seventeen different schools and colleges.

   The College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is home to the undergraduate business program. Illinois's placement record for its graduates approaches 100 percent, and the majority of its students take advantage of its study abroad programs at some point in their degree. The program offers eight different major areas of study, including accountancy, business administration, and finance. The University of Illinois has a student/faculty ratio of 18:1 and with 41.7 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Illinois's freshman retention rate is 94 percent and 84 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

7. Carnegie Mellon University

   The first private institution on our list and also the youngest and smallest, Carnegie Mellon University was founded in 1900 and enrolls approximately 6,500 undergraduates. Its namesake and founder, Andrew Carnegie, established the school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Although it is particularly well known for its programs in science and technology, Carnegie Mellon boasts a full liberal arts curriculum through its seven schools and colleges, such as the College of Fine Arts and the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Its graduate programs include the highly ranked Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Institute of Technology and School of Computer Science. Funded undergraduate research opportunities are not uncommon.

   Business students at Carnegie Mellon will pursue their program in the Tepper School of Business, which prepares students in the areas of leadership and analytics in addition to the traditional business subjects. Undergraduate students can pursue a concentration in either Business or Economics, and the graduate program offers an increased number of options. Carnegie Mellon University has a student/faculty ratio of 13:1 and with 64.9 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Carnegie Mellon's freshman retention rate is 95 percent and 88 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

8. University of Pennsylvania

   Another private institution and also a member of the Ivy League and the oldest school on our list, the University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin. It enrolls just under 10,000 undergraduate students and is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Penn is composed of 12 schools, four of which offer both undergraduate and graduate programs, and eight of which are dedicated to graduate studies. Penn is particularly well known for its Wharton School, and it also features a School of Education, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Law School and School of Medicine. It is also known for its Design School and School of Dental Medicine.

   The Wharton School of Business is considered one of the best business schools anywhere in the world. It combines business and liberal arts studies in a rigorous Ivy League setting. Wharton offers undergraduates 21 areas of concentration, including an individually tailored option. University of Pennsylvania has a student/faculty ratio of 6:1 and with 67.4 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Penn's freshman retention rate is 98 percent and 96 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

9. University of Virginia

   Location

   Charlottesville, VA

   Founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson in Charlottesville, Virginia, the University of Virginia is an elite public university with an undergraduate enrollment of over 16,000. While some schools feature either strong undergraduate or graduate programs, UVA boasts strength in both areas, and among its well-regarded graduate schools are the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, Curry School of Education, School of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Law and School of Medicine. UVA is also home to one of the 25 original copies of the Declaration of Independence, and its graduates can be found in the highest levels of their professions.

   Business students in the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia can choose among five concentrations of study, including Accounting, Finance, Information Technology, Management, and Marketing. McIntire blends the core education of the liberal arts with the cutting-edge skills demanded by today's global marketplace. University of Virginia has a student/faculty ratio of 15:1, with 55 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. UVA's freshman retention rate is 97 percent and 94 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

10. A public university founded in 1869, Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 30,000. The West Lafayette campus is the flagship location of the Purdue University system, which operates four other locations in the state. Purdue is made up of 12 schools and colleges that provide both graduate and undergraduate training. Its well-regarded professional and graduate programs include the esteemed College of Engineering, Krannert School of Management, College of Education and College of Pharmacy. It also enjoys recognition for its School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, located in the College of Engineering.

    Undergraduate business studies are offered through the Krannert School of Management, and the curriculum is built upon the STEM foundation of Purdue University: science, technology, engineering and math. Undergraduates at Krannert can earn their Bachelor degree in on of 8 majors and 10 additional concentrations. Purdue University has a student/faculty ratio of 13:1 and with 38.6 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Purdue's freshman retention rate is 92 percent and 74 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

11. Indiana University of Pennsylvania

12. University of Maryland

    Location

    Princess Anne, MD

    A public university and the flagship school of the University of Maryland system, the University of Maryland College Park was founded in 1856. Its undergraduate enrollment is just over 27,000, and it is located between Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC, which offers students the best of both suburban and urban opportunities. Among Maryland's highly respected programs are its graduate programs in education, engineering, and business. It joins several other institutions in leading the way in "green" initiatives on its campus.

    Business students at Maryland can look forward to studying at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, which emphasizes rigor, innovation and creative thinking. Undergraduates pursue the Bachelor of Science degree in their choice of eight different major areas of study, including management, marketing, and accounting. University of Maryland has a student/faculty ratio of 17:1 and with 45.4 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Maryland's freshman retention rate is 95 percent and 85 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

13. University of North Carolina

    A public institution and the flagship school of the University of North Carolina system, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill was founded in 1789 and remains a source of pride in the state. Its undergraduate enrollment is just over 18,000 students, and according to state law, at least 82 percent of each incoming class must be natives of North Carolina. Among its several colleges and schools, the largest of which is the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences, are the well-known Kenan-Flagler Business School, School of Education, School of Law, School of Medicine, Gillings School of Global Public Health, School of Social Work, Eshelman School of Pharmacy and School of Government.

    Undergraduate business students at UNC pursue their education in the Kenan-Flagler Business School, which prides itself on the integration of its core values: excellence, leadership, integrity, community, and teamwork. Kenan-Flagler has a strong core curriculum that is filled out by a wide-range of electives that cover nine different areas of business and management. UNC has a student/faculty ratio of 13:1 and with 39.2 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. UNC's freshman retention rate is 97 percent and 90 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

14. The Ohio State University, located in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest school on our list so far with an undergraduate enrollment in excess of 45,000 students. It was founded in 1870 and quickly established itself as one of the country's leading public institutions of higher education. It offers countless academic and extracurricular activities for students with more than 1,000 clubs and organizations and nearly 200 major areas of study. Its well-regarded graduate programs are offered through schools such as the College of Education and Human Ecology, Max M. Fisher College of Business, College of Engineering, College of Medicine and Michael E. Moritz College of Law.

    The Fisher College of Business, where undergraduates and PhD students alike study management, has quickly become one of the country's leading business schools. Its curriculum emphasizes experiential learning and global opportunities for the students. Ohio State University has a student/faculty ratio of 18:1 and with 29.6 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. OSU's freshman retention rate is 93 percent and 83 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

15. Cornell University, the second Ivy League institution on our list, is a private school founded in 1865 that has just over 14,000 undergraduates. Located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell has an abundance of opportunities for students through over 1,000 student organizations and 14 colleges and schools. Cornell's two largest undergraduate colleges are the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Among its well-known graduate schools are the S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management, College of Engineering, Law School and Weill Cornell Medical College. Cornell also has a well-regarded vet school as well as a hotel administration school.

    Business students at Cornell have a number of options to choose from. Students can study in one of three different schools—the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and the School of Hotel Administration. Cornell University has a student/faculty ratio of 9:1 and with 55.3 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Cornell's freshman retention rate is 97 percent and 93 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

16. A private institution founded in 1842, the University of Notre Dame is the stuff of legends. It enrolls approximately 8,500 undergraduates at its campus in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame offers graduate and professional programs in addition to undergraduate programs through eight schools and colleges, the largest of which is the College of Arts and Letters. Its Mendoza College of Business, Law School, and School of Architecture are all nationally recognized.

    Undergraduate business programs are offered through the Mendoza College of Business, one of the country's premier management programs that fosters academic excellence, professional effectiveness, and personal accountability. Extracurricular activities are a hallmark of a Mendoza education, which fosters ethics-based leadership skills. University of Notre Dame has a student/faculty ratio of 10:1 and with 57.6 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. UND's freshman retention rate is 98 percent and 96 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

17. Another of the country's elite private institutions, New York University was founded in 1831. It has a total undergraduate enrollment just north of 25,000. It is located in historic Greenwich Village and is composed of a network of well-known schools and colleges, particularly the College of Arts and Letters. The Tisch School of the Arts is particularly well known, as well as the Stern School of Business; Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development; School of Law; School of Medicine; Silver School of Social Work; and Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

    Undergraduate business programs are housed in the Stern School of Business, and the school's location in the heart of one of the world's great capitals of commerce, the Stern School at New York University promotes original thinking and encourages experimentation and creativity. Stern offers two undergraduate degrees: the Business Degree, which offers 11 areas of concentration, and the Business and Political Economy (BPE) Degree, which includes a two-semester study abroad requirement. New York University has a student/faculty ratio of 10:1 and with 61.1 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. NYU's freshman retention rate is 92 percent and 82 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

18. Founded in 1885, the University of Arizona is a public institution with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 33,000. It remains one of the largest public institutions of higher education in the state and is therefore able to offer its students a wide selection of both academic and extracurricular activities, including research opportunities. It is well-known for its graduate programs, which include those offered through the Eller College of Management, the James E. Rogers College of Law and a College of Medicine.

    The Eller College of Management offers undergraduate business training as well as graduate degrees. At nearly 6,000 undergraduates, it is larger than many small universities, and it offers courses in both Tuscon and downtown Phoenix, Arizona. Eller offers undergraduates 9 different business majors to choose from. University of Arizona has a student/faculty ratio of 22:1 and with 39.3% percent of its classes having less than 20 students. UA's freshman retention rate is 80 percent and 60 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

19. Georgia Institute of Technology

    Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is located in the center of Atlanta, Georgia, and founded in 1885. With just over 15,000 students, it is a mid-sized public institution that nevertheless offers students opportunities comparable to institutions twice its size. It is composed of six colleges, including its nationally recognized College of Engineering and Scheller College of Business. It maintains an extremely high level of research activity, and it is regularly ranked among the top universities in the country.

    The Scheller College of Business at Georgia Tech is home to graduate and undergraduate business studies alike. It has a particular strength in entrepreneurship and technological innovation. Its undergraduate Bachelor's in Business Administration offers seven areas of concentration. Georgia Tech has a student/faculty ratio of 19:1 and with 38.6 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Georgia Tech's freshman retention rate is 96 percent and 82 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

20. Brigham Young University-Hawaii

    Brigham Young University, located in Provo, Utah, is a private institution affiliated with the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the Mormon church). It was founded in 1875 and has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 30,000. There are more than 70 clubs on campus, which meet Tuesday evenings and encourage religious development and social responsibility. It also encourages community service through weekly service projects on campus. BYU also operates campuses in Idaho and Hawaii, and it is particularly well known as a leader in language education.

    Business students at BYU will study at The Marriott School of Business, which is dedicated to education, scholarship, and service and seeks to produce outstanding future leaders for a global environment. Marriott offers undergraduate business degrees in five major areas of study: Accountancy, Finance, Information Systems, Management, and Recreation Management. Brigham Young University has a student/faculty ratio of 18:1 and with 57.1 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Brigham Young's freshman retention rate is 88 percent and 79 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

21. The University of Wisconsin Madison, the flagship campus of the public University of Wisconsin system, was founded in 1848. It also has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 30,000. Wisconsin is recognized for excellence in a number of areas, but its graduate programs regularly receive national attention, including those offered through the School of Education, Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs, College of Engineering, School of Business, School of Medicine and Public Health and Law School. Wisconsin also has a long tradition of training students in public service, regardless of their particular profession.

    The Wisconsin School of Business is home to undergraduate and graduate programs in management alike. Established in 1900, it is one of the first five business programs in the nation. The Wisconsin School of Business offers Bachelor of Business Administration degree with 10 distinct majors, including international business, real estate, and marketing. University of Wisconsin has a student/faculty ratio of 17:1 and with 45.8 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Wisconsin's freshman retention rate is 95 percent and 85 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

22. Pennsylvania State University

    Founded in 1855, Pennsylvania State University is a public institution that features one of the largest undergraduate enrollments in the country at just over 40,000. Penn State was originally a land-grant college tasked with training in the agricultural and mechanical professions but has evolved to offer nationally recognized undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide variety of specialties. The College of Education and the College of Engineering are particularly well known, as well as the College of Medicine at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and the Dickinson Schools of Law of the Pennsylvania State University: Penn State Law and Dickinson Law. The graduate program is one of the country's largest, and its undergraduates benefit from its highly active research culture.

    Business students at Penn State will study in the Smeal College of Business, which prepares students for a wide variety of careers in an increasingly complex world. Most students are first admitted to the College and then explore the various business disciplines in their first two years. Majors are then chosen before the third year. Smeal prides itself on a combination of academic and hands-on learning, and options for majors include Accounting, Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Finance, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Risk Management, and Supply Chain and Information Systems.

23. Texas A&M University, located in College Station, Texas, is the public flagship campus of the Texas A&M system. It was founded in 1876 and features one of the largest undergraduate enrollments in the country at nearly 49,000 students. Originally founded as an all-men's agricultural and mechanical college, the fully coed campus is now a world unto itself that features almost any activity a student can imagine. Many of its programs receive regular national attention, such as those offered through the Dwight Look College of Engineering, Mays Business School and College of Education and Human Development. In addition to smaller satellite campuses around the state of Texas, A&M also operates a campus in Qatar.

    Business students at A&M will find a home in the nationally recognized Mays Business School, which is distinguished by its unique approaches to leadership training and high-impact learning outside the classroom. Mays offers a Bachelors in Business Administration in seven distinct areas, including accounting, finance, and management. Texas A&M University has a student/faculty ratio of 20:1 and with 21.6 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Texas A&M's freshman retention rate is 91 percent and 79 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

24. Another school with an undergraduate enrollment in the 30,000-student range, the University of Washington, located in the iconic U District just north of downtown Seattle, Washington, is a public institution that was founded in 1861. As one of oldest higher education institutions on the west coast, it has an established reputation for excellence in research and innovation, thanks in no small part to generous federal funding. UW hosts an Undergraduate Research Symposium every year for students to present their work to the community. Among its highly ranked graduate programs are the School of Medicine, College of Engineering and Michael G. Foster School of Business.

    Business students at UW will study in The Michael G. Foster School of Business, which enrolls more than 2,500 students in an environment built upon entrepreneurial innovation, strategic research, and business leadership. UW offers a Bachelor of Business Administration through Foster, and students can choose from 8 areas of concentration, including management, entrepreneurship, and marketing. University of Washington has a student/faculty ratio of 11:1 and with 35.1 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. UW's freshman retention rate is 93 percent and 84 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

25. Arizona State University, located in Tempe, Arizona, is a public institution that was founded in 1885. It has a sizable undergraduate enrollment of over 40,000, and it offers students a wide range of academic and extracurricular options. In addition to its nationally recognized graduate programs, particularly those through the W. P. Carey School of Business, the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State has also established itself as a leader in distance education.

    Business students at Arizona State will study in The W. P. Carey School of Business, which has been a pioneer in business analytics. It is also one of the largest business schools in the world, with over 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, master's, and PhD degrees. Arizona State University has a student/faculty ratio of 22:1 and with 40.7 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. ASU's freshman retention rate is 84 percent and 63 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

26. University of Southern California

    Founded in 1880, the University of Southern California is a private institution with an undergraduate enrollment of just under 20,000 students. It is located in iconic downtown Los Angeles, California, and academics revolve around Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and 17 different graduate and professional schools. It is particularly well known for its graduate programs, which accounts for the fact that unlike many schools, its graduate student population outnumbers its undergraduate population. Among its well-known graduate schools are the Marshall School of Business, Rossier School of Education, Andrew and Erna Viterbi School of Engineering, Gould School of Law, Keck School of Medicine and School of Social Work.

    Undergraduate business studies are located in the USC Marshall School of Business along with graduate studies. Marshall places an emphasis on entrepreneurship, innovation, collaborative research, and social responsibility, and in addition to its Bachelor of Business Administration, it also offers programs in Accounting and a World Bachelor in Business. University of Southern California has a student/faculty ratio of 9:1 and with 57.1 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. USC's freshman retention rate is 97 percent and 91 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

27. The flagship campus of the public University of Florida system, the University of Florida was founded in 1853. Its undergraduate population just exceeds 35,000 students. Among its nationally recognized graduate programs are those offered through the engineering school, Hough Graduate School of Business, Levin College of Law and the College of Medicine. UF is one of only six universities in the country with colleges of medicine, engineering, law, agriculture and veterinary medicine on the same campus. One of its most noteworthy recent initiatives is the UF Innovation Station, which provides access to tech workforce talent, applied research, faculty and intellectual property for businesses and entrepreneurs.

    Students interested in business administration will study in the Heavener School of Business, which offers a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and the Online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. On-campus students can choose from among five major areas of study: Economics, Finance, Information Systems, Management, and Marketing. University of Florida has a student/faculty ratio of 21:1 and with 49.1 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Florida's freshman retention rate is 96 percent and 88 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

28. Washington University in St. Louis

    Washington University in St. Louis, a private institution founded in 1853, needs little introduction to the business community. Although it is a smaller school with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 7,500 students, it has an established reputation as one of the country's elite institutions. "Wash U" has four schools that serve undergraduate and graduate students and also four dedicated graduate schools. Its better known graduate programs are found in the George Warren Brown School of Social Work, the highly ranked Olin Business School, School of Law, School of Medicine, Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts, School of Engineering and Applied Science and a graduate program in education.

    Olin Business School, where undergraduate business students pursue their degrees, places a strong emphasis on high academic standards and experiential learning, and it is also one of the nation's leading institutions for research in business. Olin offers an undergraduate degree in Business Administration with eight different majors. Washington University in St. Louis has a student/faculty ratio of 8:1 and with 65.9 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. WUSL's freshman retention rate is 97 percent and 95 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

29. An elite private institution founded in 1836, Emory University is located in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. With an undergraduate enrollment of just under 7,000, it is one of the smaller schools on our list, but as we have seen before, there is no direct correlation between size and influence. Emory is composed of nine schools and colleges, four of which serve undergraduates and graduates. Its graduate programs, which are internationally recognized, include those in the Goizueta Business School, School of Law, School of Medicine, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and Rollins School of Public Health. Emory has extensive relationships with some of the premier public and private research institutes in the world, and its students and faculty alike benefit from these resources.

    Emory University's Goizueta Business School provides business training to both undergraduate and graduate students. It combines a world-class business education with the advantage of a small, intimate learning environment, and the benefits of a global, dynamic city. Its undergraduate program in Business Administration offers concentrations in accounting, finance, information systems and operations management, marketing, and strategy and management consulting. Emory University has a student/faculty ratio of 8:1 and with 60.9 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Emory's freshman retention rate is 95 percent and 91 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

30. Another historic public institution with an enrollment in the 30,000-student range, the University of Georgia was founded in 1785. UGA enjoys the distinction of being the first public, state-supported college in America, setting the precedent for an institutional type that remains to this day. UGA's graduate programs are particularly well known, especially those in the College of Education and Law School, and it also boats the country's oldest honors program, which attracts students from all over the country. It is also currently on track to become the largest public university to guarantee each student will have an opportunity to participate in some sort of hands-on experience before graduation.

    UGA's business school, the Terry College of Business, offers its students an ever evolving curriculum, advanced career services, and a strong international study program. Its Bachelor of Business Administration offers nine major areas of study, including international business, management, and real estate. University of Georgia has a student/faculty ratio of 18:1 and with 38.8 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Georgia's freshman retention rate is 94 percent and 85 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

31. Located just a few miles from historic downtown Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private institution founded in 1789. It is also a smaller school, with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 7,500. Its reputation for excellence includes both its undergraduate and graduate programs through the highly ranked Robert Emmett McDonough School of Business, Law Center, School of Medicine, School of Nursing and Health Studies and McCourt School of Public Policy. Its Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service also offers well-respected graduate and professional programs. Like some of the other smaller, private institutions on our list, Georgetown offers the advantages of a smaller community that is also located next to one of the world's great centers of commerce and politics.

    This location is particularly advantageous for students of Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, which offers some of the best real-world training in business, politics, government, and international relations anywhere in the world right in its own backyard. McDonough's mission is to educate students to be ethically responsible and effective business leaders through nine different major areas of study and a highly regarded Entrepreneurship Fellows Program. Georgetown University has a student/faculty ratio of 11:1 and with 60.8 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Georgetown's freshman retention rate is 96 percent and 95 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

32. Founded in 1847, the University of Iowa has an undergraduate population of approximately 23,000, and it brings considerable disciplinary breadth to the table with more than 100 different areas of study available. Among its nationally recognized programs are those offered through its College of Law, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Henry B. Tippie School of Management and College of Education. Its hospital system is likewise recognized for excellence, as is its University-wide honors program. Iowa also has one of the best writing programs in the country, and it involves undergraduates in research in nearly every discipline at early stages in their education.

    Business students at Iowa pursue their studies through the Bachelor of Business Administration at the Henry B. Tippie College of Business. Tippie offers six majors as well as a minor in business administration and three certificate programs, and the program is designed to capitalize on Iowa's renowned liberal arts curriculum. Tippie graduates are in high demand both nationally and internationally in all areas of business, and the College boasts an excellent placement record in both graduate programs and employment.

33. Michigan State University

    Located in the state capital of Lansing, Michigan, Michigan State University is a public institution that was founded in 1855. Its undergraduate enrollment is quickly approaching the 40,000 mark, and its graduate and professional programs compete with some of the best in the nation, including those offered through the College of Education and the well-respected Eli Broad Graduate School of Management. Michigan State was the first land-grant institution in the country, and it set a precedent for other institutions to use their resources to serve the communities they are in. The school's sustainability effort, Be Spartan Green, has received national attention.

    As one of the largest business schools in the country, The Eli Broad College of Business is home to 7,700 students. The Broad College offers training in 7 major areas of study as well as 6 minors in areas such as accounting, management, and marketing. Michigan State University has a student/faculty ratio of 17:1 and with 23.5 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. MSU's freshman retention rate is 91 percent and 79 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

34. The University of Pittsburgh is one of the older institutions on our list, having been founded in 1787. Its undergraduate population is just shy of 20,000, and Pitt is widely recognized for many of its programs, including the School of Medicine, School of Education and Swanson School of Engineering. The School of Medicine, which works in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, is particularly well regarded, and the institution receives one of the highest amounts of funding from the National Institutes of Health. Pitt alumni can be found in nearly every industry, and the university is well known for its environmental sustainability initiatives.

    Pitt offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and its program is wide-ranging. It offers seven major areas of study in addition to five certificate programs. Students in the program participate in a number of hands-on learning opportunities, such as case studies, internships, competitions, and collaborative projects in addition to global learning opportunities. The Pittsburgh metro offers students countless additional opportunities for learning from leaders in a variety of industries.

35. A public institution and former military institute founded in 1872, Virginia Tech has an undergraduate enrollment of just over 25,000 students. One of the mottos that guides its mission is "inventing the future," which it encourages through a long, established history of excellence in technology and science. Consistent with this history, one of its most reputable colleges is the College of Engineering, although many of its other schools receive national attention as well. It is also recognized for its excellence in research, particularly through its Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science and the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, which offer opportunities to both graduate and undergraduate students.

    Business students will find a home in The Pamplin College of Business. Virginia Tech's excellence in technology can be found here as well, as Pamplin encourages students to combine business intelligence and analytics with innovation through entrepreneurship to further position themselves as leaders in business education. It offers undergraduate majors in seven different areas, including Business Information Technology, Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Marketing. Virginia Tech has a student/faculty ratio of 16:1 and with 28.1 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Virginia Tech's freshman retention rate is 92 percent and 83 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

36. University of Colorado Boulder

    Founded in 1876, the University of Colorado Boulder is a public institution with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 27,000 located in the Rocky Mountains. It draws particular praise for its graduate programs in engineering and applied science, education, and law. Currently, it is the only institution in the region to boast membership in the Association of American Universities.

    CU Boulder offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration through the Leeds School of Business, which also offers degrees leading up to and including the MBA and PhD degrees in addition to various certificate programs. Examples of major areas of study available to Leeds students include accounting, finance, management, entrepreneurship, and marketing. The local Boulder community offers numerous opportunities for practical, hands-on experience, and the program has an excellent track record of matching students with local businesses in various capacities.

37. Located in Fayetteville, one of the primary metropolitan centers of northwest Arkansas, the University of Arkansas is a public institution that was founded in 1871 and has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 22,000. Arkansas offers over seventy major undergraduate areas of study as well as graduate programs through the Sam M. Walton College of Business, the College of Engineering, the School of Law and many other fields, including the humanities. It is the flagship school of the University of Arkansas system.

    Students interested in pursuing business and management studies at Arkansas will find a home in the Walton College of Business' Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. All students begin in the core curriculum, which is required of all majors and is broken down in to pre-business and business areas. This is designed to introduce students to nine major areas of business, which will enable them to select a major area of study that best suits their interests.

38. University of California-Irvine

    Part of the large and well-respected University of California system, UC-Irvine is a younger institution that was founded in 1965. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of just over 25,000, and it has quickly established itself as a leader in the medical sciences, particularly in cancer and neuroscience studies, through the esteemed UC Irvine Medical Center. UC Irvine also offers leading graduate programs, such as those in the Paul Merage School of Business and the Henry Samueli School of Engineering. The university also receives recognition for its green and sustainability initiatives.

    The Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine, where undergraduate business administration students pursue their degrees, offers academic strengths of the University of California with the cutting-edge, entrepreneurial spirit of Orange County. In addition to the Bachelors in Business Administration, Merage also offers a Bachelors in Information Management. University of California Irvine has a student/faculty ratio of 19:1 and with 58.3 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. UC Irvine's freshman retention rate is 93 percent and 87 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

39. Babson College, is a private institution that was founded in 1919, is the smallest school on our list with an undergraduate enrollment of just over 2,000 students. We include it on our list because it is one of the standard bearers in undergraduate business education, particularly in the areas of entrepreneurship. It is located just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, and it aims to develop the leaders our world needs most: those with strong functional knowledge and the skills and vision to navigate change, accommodate ambiguity, surmount complexity, and motivate teams in a common purpose. It offers its students a wide array of real-world opportunities that provide necessary experience to a complete education.

    Babson's undergraduate business program is particularly geared toward students who see entrepreneurship in their future. It offers an astounding 27 different areas of concentration to its undergraduate students, and it has been rated the #1 Business School for ROI by Payscale. Babson College has a student/faculty ratio of 14:1 and with 23.5 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Babson's freshman retention rate is 94 percent and 91 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

40. Boston College

    Location

    Chestnut Hill, MA

    Another leader in business education from the Boston area, Boston College is a private institution that was founded in 1863. Its undergraduate enrollment is just over 9,000, and it is a Catholic school that maintains an affiliation with the Jesuits. It is well known for its research activity, which the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching rates as "high." Its nine schools include a number of nationally recognized graduate programs, such as the Lynch School of Education, Boston College Law School and Carroll School of Management. It also features an active study abroad program.

    Business students at Boston College study in the Carroll School of Management, which places a strong emphasis on ethical development. Carroll boasts strategic partnerships in the Boston business community to provide students with experience in financial and strategic analysis, product development, and general business planning. Boston College has a student/faculty ratio of 12:1 and with 52.3 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. BC's freshman retention rate is 95 percent and 91 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

41. Case Western Reserve University

    Case Western Reserve University, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a private institution that was founded in 1826. Its undergraduate enrollment of just over 5,000 students provides a smaller context that will appeal to an important cross section of students. Case Western is known, among other things, for its specialized graduate programs, such as its health law curriculum at the School of Law. Other well-respected programs include its biomedical engineering program at the School of Engineering and nonprofit management at the Weatherhead School of Management. Case also owns a 389-acre farm, known as University Farm, where biology and ecology students can acquire hands-on experience in their areas of expertise.

    Business students at Case will find a home in the The Weatherhead School of Management, which emphasizes analytical and communication skills. Weatherhead offers undergraduates 10 major areas of concentration and a robust study abroad program. Case Western Reserve University has a student/faculty ratio of 11:1 and with 61.6 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Case Western's freshman retention rate is 93 percent and 81 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

42. Located in the small town of Oxford, Ohio, Miami University was founded in 1809 as a public institution and has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 16,000 students. Miami prides itself on being one of the original Public Ivy institutions and providing a rigorous academic experience for its students. Its smaller size allows it to provide some of the personal opportunities a student might find at a smaller liberal arts school, but its public status draws resources that a student might not find at those same institutions. Miami offers a wide range of academic programs. The bachelor's degree is offered in more than 100 areas of study in Oxford, the master's degree in 59 areas; doctoral programs are also available in 12 disciplines.

    The Farmer School of Business offers undergraduate business students the opportunity to major in Accountancy, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Information Systems and Analytics, Management & Leadership, Marketing, and Supply Chain and Operations Management. The Management & Leadership major, as one example, is designed to prepare students for leadership capacities in all areas of business—teams, projects, and individuals in as many different contexts as possible. Examples of careers Management & Leadership graduates are prepared for include positions in management, human resources, management development, training, organizational change, employee benefits, compensation, cross-cultural management, public sector management, consulting, small business, and labor relations.

43. University of California-San Diego

    Another member of the sprawling University of California system, UC San Diego was founded relatively recently in 1960 in the La Jolla area of San Diego, California. It is similar in size to many of the other UC campuses with an undergraduate enrollment of just over 26,000. UC San Diego features six undergraduate colleges, five academic divisions and five graduate and professional schools. Its School of Medicine and Jacobs School of Engineering lead its nationally recognized graduate programs, and it has an extraordinarily active research community. Needless to say, UCSD has come a long way in 50 short years.

    The Rady School of Management at UC San Diego offers undergraduate business education through a comprehensive array of business and accounting courses. It also offers an accounting minor, business minor, and an entrepreneurship and innovation minor. Students can take courses in the areas of Business and Entrepreneurship and Accounting. University of California San Diego has a student/faculty ratio of 19:1 and with 38.1 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. UCSD's freshman retention rate is 95 percent and 86 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

44. College of William & Mary

    Founded in 1693, the College of William & Mary is not only the oldest school on our list but the second oldest college in the entire country. It is a public school with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 6,300. Its namesake is King William III and Queen Mary II of England, and it offers over 30 undergraduate programs and more than 10 graduate programs and professional degree programs. Among its nationally recognized graduate programs are those offered in the Marshall-Wythe School of Law, the School of Education and the Mason School of Business. The law school lays claim to being the first law school in the country, and it counts the likes of Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler among its alumni.

    Undergraduate business students at William & Mary will pursue their education in The Mason School of Business, which develops student leaders through innovative educational experiences and mentoring. The Mason School offers undergraduates a choice among 5 majors and 9 concentrations. College of William and Mary has a student/faculty ratio of 12:1 and with 47.5 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. College of William and Mary's freshman retention rate is 96 percent and 90 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

45. One of the many sources of pride of upstate New York, Syracuse University is a private institution that was founded in 1870 and currently serves an undergraduate population of approximately 15,000 students. It also boasts a campus in Florence, Italy, which is available to both undergraduate and graduate students, including freshman students in their first semester through the school's Discover Florence program. It also enjoys a strategic partnership with Cornell University and the University of Rochester known as the Scholar Exchange Program, which allows students to register for courses at all three schools.

    Business students at Syracuse University will find a home in the Whitman School of Management, which offers unique opportunities for students to learn in and out of class, such as the new Goodman IMPRESS program. Whitman offers a Bachelor degree in Management in the following eight areas: accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, management, marketing management, real estate, retail management, and supply chain management. Syracuse University has a student/faculty ratio of 16:1 and with 62.6 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Syracuse's freshman retention rate is 92 percent and 80 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

46. A private institution founded in 1839, Boston University has a large undergraduate enrollment for a private school at approximately 18,000, making it one of the largest independent, nonprofit universities in the country. Its reputation precedes it, and some of its nationally recognized graduate programs include those offered through the School of Law, School of Management, School of Medicine, College of Engineering and School of Education. The School of Medicine is the nation's first combined cancer research and teaching laboratory, and it led the way in education parity by offering all its programs to women in 1872.

    The Boston University Questrom School of Business is home to graduate and undergraduate business students alike. It is a constantly evolving school and has pioneered the integration of business with the health and life sciences, digital technology, and social enterprise and sustainability. Questrom offers the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with 11 major areas of study. Students who qualify can also complete their degree in the Management Honors Program. Boston University has a student/faculty ratio of 13:1 and with 59.8 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Boston University's freshman retention rate is 93 percent and 85 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

47. A small, private university founded in 1917, Bentley University has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 4,200. It is located just outside of Boston, Massachusetts and has established itself as a leader in undergraduate business studies through a dedication to preparing smart, nimble, and compassionate leaders. It offers training in the arts and sciences in addition to business training as well as advanced tools in technology. Bentley's grads are in high demand, reputable as they are for their professionalism, experience, and technological savvy.

    Bentley's business programs offer vast options to students through training in accountancy, actuarial science, computer information systems, corporate finance and accounting, economics/finance, finance, information design and corporate communication, information systems audit and control, management, managerial economics, marketing, mathematical sciences and professional sales. It offers concentrations in five different areas: Entrepreneurship, Global management, Human resources management, Leadership, and Supply Chain Management. Bentley University has a student/faculty ratio of 12:1 and with 24.7 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Bentley's freshman retention rate is 94 percent and 88 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

48. Wake Forest University

    Location

    Winston-Salem, NC

    Founded in 1834, historic Wake Forest University is a private institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Its undergraduate enrollment is just short of 5,000, and it is organized into six different schools. Among its highly regarded graduate programs are the School of Law, School of Business and School of Medicine. Undergraduates are enrolled in either Wake Forest College or the business school. Wake Forest offers study abroad programs in 70 different countries, and the majority of students take advantage of these opportunities at some point in their studies.

    Wake Forest University School of Business, where undergraduate and graduate students alike pursue studies in management, places a strong emphasis on competency and character so that its students become leaders of competence and character. Wake Forest offers business degrees in four different areas: Accountancy, Business and Enterprise Management, Finance, and Mathematical Business. Wake Forest University has a student/faculty ratio of 11:1 and with 54.8 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Wake Forest's freshman retention rate is 94 percent and 88 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

49. George Washington University

    George Washington University is a larger private institution that was founded in 1821 and serves an undergraduate population of approximately 11,000. It is located in historic downtown Washington, DC, which provides students with opportunities they are unlikely to find at other schools. GWU students are involved in a variety of political, research, and policy activities in the nation's capital and also have the ability to create their own major according to their interests. GWU offers generous financial assistance, a well-developed study abroad program, and a vast network of internship opportunities in almost every area of study.

    George Washington University offers aspiring business leaders a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, which provides both general business training and specific instruction in each student's area of interest. Students are allowed considerable flexibility within the program according to their individual career goals, and many upper-level classes are selected specifically for each student in order to help them best achieve their unique objectives.

50. One of the smaller and younger schools on our list with an enrollment of 3,500 students, Pepperdine University is a private institution founded in 1937. It is located in iconic Malibu, California in the foothills of Santa Monica Mountain. Its smaller size and shorter history, however, have not stopped it from quickly establishing itself as national contender in a number of areas. Pepperdine offers degrees from the undergraduate level to the doctoral level in a wide range of areas and boasts a full-time faculty of 400. It has also received recognition for its network of international campuses in Heidelberg, Germany; London, England; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Lausanne, Switzerland; Florence, Italy and Shanghai, China.

    The Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business and Management is where undergraduate business administration students will find a home. Its four hallmarks—Entrepreneurial, Collaborative, Experience-Driven, and Global—form the foundation of all its programs. Graziadio offers undergraduate concentrations in eleven different areas of study. Pepperdine University has a student/faculty ratio of 13:1 and with 69.1 percent of its classes having less than 20 students. Pepperdine's freshman retention rate is 92 percent and 84 percent of students graduate in 6 years.

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