The modern business world requires strong interpersonal and decision-making skills. With one of Best Value Schools' 20 Best Bachelors' in Business, students can build business savvy applicable to any industry.
No matter the product offered or service provided, companies cannot succeed without a strong foundation of business skills. One of the following 20 Best Bachelors' in Business can help build that foundation for success. The programs listed are rooted in the behind-the-scenes and public aspects of modern industries. With hands-on coursework and global learning opportunities, these programs can help build varied and vibrant skills in areas such as communications, ethics, finance, leadership, and marketing.
A Bachelor's Degree in Business can be applied to a vast range of industries and positions. Generally speaking, though, business administrators plan and oversee business facilities and operational activities. According to the most recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Administrative Services Managers made a median salary of $94.020 in 2017. The demand for competent managers is projected to grow at a faster-than-average rate of 10 percent by 2026.
Selection Criteria
Best Value Schools publishes college degree rankings with the belief of how one's higher education should be, both, affordable and an investment of continued value for the students who pursue them. The staff of BVS collects data from reputable sources in order to calculate Net Price and the short and long-term value of every ranked degree. Collected data is simplified into weighted categories before scoring and then scaled through a BVS Score up to 100. The weighted categories are:
- Degree Investment Return (25%)
- Student & Alumni Evaluation (25%)
- Cost Value (25%)
- Matriculation (10%)
- Academic Success (15%)
No matter what degree you decide on, we hope our research and support has made the selection process easier. There are numerous resources BVS utilizes to collect information on degrees, and we encourage you to check them out for yourself!
Here are the 20 Best Bachelors' in Business for 2020!
20. University of California, Irvine – Irvine, CA
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
Website
The University of California, Irvine offers a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. Students choose from among seven emphasis areas, including Health Care Management, Information Systems, and Marketing. The curriculum includes a common core of 10 business courses. Students must either participate in the university's Education Abroad program or take a course in international business. Key coursework emphasizes writing and presentation skills in business communication. Students may also seek an internship through the university's internship assistance program.
UC Irvine is a public land-grant research university in Irvine, California. It is one of 10 campuses in the University of California system. It is counted among the United States' "Public Ivies," meaning it offers an educational quality comparable to that of the private Ivy League. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university 45th in Most Innovative Schools, 33rd in National Universities, and 7th in Top Public Schools.
Net Price: $13,944
Score: 67.4
19. University of Georgia – Athens, GA
Bachelor of Business Administration in General Business
Website
The University of Georgia offers its Bachelor of Business Administration in General Business program both online and at its campus in Griffin, Georgia. The curriculum includes four upper-division Business core courses: Financial Management, Principles of Management, Principles of Marketing, and Statistical Analysis for Business. Students must also complete supporting general education courses in areas including economics, communications, physical education, and world languages and culture.
UGA is a flagship public research university with the main campus in Athens, Georgia. It is one of three institutions allowed to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States. A land-, sea-, space-, and sun-grant university, it is classified as having "highest extensive research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation. U.S. News & World Report ranks UGA No. 46 in National Universities and No. 13 in Top Public Schools.
Net Price: $15,934
Score: 67.8
18. University of Florida – Gainesville, FL
Bachelor of Arts/Science in Business Administration
Website
The University of Florida offers students the choice between a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Students pursuing the BS degree can choose a major are in Economics, Finance, Information Systems, Management, or Marketing. The university also offers the BS General Business degree program in an online format. The BA program offers a General Studies major with fields of specialization students can pursue, such as Foreign Languages, Pre-Law, or Sport Management. BA elective offerings include Creativity and Innovation in the Business Environment, Debt & Money Markets, and Real Estate Analysis.
UF is a public land-, sea-, and space-grant university in Gainesville, FL. UF is classified as a Research University with Very High Research by the Carnegie Foundation. U.S. News & World Report ranks it No. 35 in National Universities and No. 8 in Top Public Schools. The sports drink Gatorade was named after the school's athletic team, the Florida Gators.
Net Price: $15,283
Score: 66.9
17. University of Minnesota – Minneapolis & Saint Paul, MN
Bachelor of Science in Business
Website
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities offers a Bachelor of Science in Business through its Carlson School of Management. Students can choose from majors including Accounting, Finance; Human Resources and Industrial Relations, and International Businesses. The business school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1 and an average class size of 37 students. All business students complete an international experience.
UMN is a public land- and space-grant university in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. A flagship institution, it is the oldest and largest campus in the University of Minnesota system. It is counted among the nation's "Public Ivy" universities, with an educational experience comparable to the Ivy League. It is classified as a Doctoral University with Highest Research Activity in the Carnegie Foundation. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university No. 76 in National Universities and No. 30 in Top Public Schools.
Net Price: $16,808
Score: 71.4
16. University of Washington – Seattle, WA
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
Website
The University of Washington offers a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration through its Foster School of Business. Students can choose a "formal option," or a predetermined area of study, or design their own through various business electives. The school offers seven formal options: Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resources Management, Information Systems, Marketing, and Operating & Supply Chain Management. All Business students complete the same core courses, including Global Business Perspectives, Introduction to Law, and Marketing Concepts.
UW is a public sea- and space-grant university in Seattle, Washington. It is classified as an R1 Doctoral Research University by the Carnegie Foundation. It is also the flagship public university of the state of Washington. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university No. 59 in National Universities, No. 37 in Most Innovative Schools, and No. 20 in Top Public Schools.
Net Price: $9,443
Score: 71.7
15. Emory University – Atlanta, GA
Bachelor of Business Administration
Website
Emory University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration through its Goizueta Business School. The three-phase curriculum lays a foundation in liberal arts followed by core business courses and specialized electives. Functional core courses include Corporate Finance, Legal Environment of Business, and Strategic Management. Professional development core courses include Business Communications and Professional Development. The program offers concentrations in Arts Management, Environmental Management, Film and Media Management, and Health Innovation.
Emory is a private research university in Atlanta, Georgia, affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. It is the second-oldest private institution in Georgia. The university is classified as a research university with "very high research activity." U.S. News & World Report ranks Emory No. 21 in National Universities and No. 19 in Best Value Schools.
Net Price: $26,867
Score: 71.0
14. Georgetown University – Washington, D.C.
Bachelor of Business Administration
Website
Georgetown University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration through its McDonough School of Business. The curriculum blends business and liberal arts courses. Core business courses include Business Financial Management; Management and Organizational Behavior, and Operations Management. Students can choose from among seven majors: Accounting; Finance; International Political Economy and Business; International Business Regional Studies; Management, Leadership, and Innovation; Marketing; and Operations and Information Management.
Georgetown is a private Roman Catholic university in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. It is the oldest Catholic higher education institution in the United States, though most students are not Catholic. U.S. News & World Report ranks Georgetown No. 32 in Most Innovative Schools, No. 25 in Best Value Schools, and No. 22 in National Universities.
Net Price: $27,420
Score: 73.0
13. Xavier University – Cincinnati and Norwood, OH
Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics
Website
Xavier University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics. The program is rooted in data analysis. Course offerings include Business Law, International Trade and Business Environment, and Strategic Human Resource Management. The average Business Analytics class size is 21 students. BSBA students can major in Accounting, Economics, Finance, Information Systems, and Management. Minor options include Criminal Justice, International Business, and Spanish.
Xavier is a private Jesuit research university in Cincinnati and Norwood, OH. Founded in 1831, it is among the oldest Catholic universities in the United States. It is a liberal arts institution focused on undergraduate education. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university No. 8 in Regional Universities Midwest, No. 5 in Most Innovative Schools, and No. 4 in Best Undergraduate Teaching.
Net Price: $30,190
Score: 72.5
12. Washington University in St. Louis – St. Louis, MO
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Website
Washington University in St. Louis offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration through its Olin Business School. Students can choose from among eight business majors, including Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Healthcare Management, Marketing, and Operations and Supply Chain Management. Students may also choose to pursue a minor in an area such as International Business, Business of Social Impact, Business of Sports, Business of Entertainment, or Business of the Arts. The degree program emphasizes experiential learning, offering opportunities such as case competitions, consulting projects, global immersions, and internships.
WashU is a private research university in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, the university was named after first United States president George Washington. The university operates multiple campuses, including the main Danforth Campus, the Medical Campus North and West campuses, and the Tyson Research Center. The Olin Business School was named after American entrepreneur John M. Olin. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university No. 20 in Best Value Schools and No. 19 in National Universities.
Net Price: $51,533
Score: 75.8
11. Loyola Marymount University – Los Angeles, CA
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Website
Loyola Marymount University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Students can choose a major in Applied Information Management Systems, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Management, or Marketing. The Entrepreneurship major is offered by the university's Fred Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship. The major curriculum includes courses in New Venture Creation, Small Business Management, and Product and Business Design. The university was one of the first in the United States to offer an entrepreneurship program.
LMU is a private Roman Catholic research university in Los Angeles, California. It is one of the largest Roman Catholic universities on the West Coast. The campus sits atop the Del Rey Hill bluffs in Los Angeles' Westchester neighborhood. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university No. 25 in Best Value Schools, No. 10 in Most Innovative Schools, and No. 3 in Regional Universities West. The site also ranks LMU No. 11 in Entrepreneurship Programs.
Net Price: $42,459
Score: 76.
10. Carnegie Mellon University – Pittsburgh, PA
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Website
Carnegie Mellon University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration through its Tepper School of Business. The program has a focus on leadership development and features small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio. Students can choose from 10 business concentrations, including accounting, entrepreneurship, graphic media management, and international business. Course offerings include Business Computing; Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, and Publishing on the World Wide Web.
CMU is a private research university founded in 1900 by business magnate Andrew Carnegie. Its main campus is located three miles from downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. An international university, CMU has degree-granting learning sites on six continents. In 2010, Newsweek named the university one of the "New Ivies." U.S. News & World Report ranks it No. 25 in National Universities, No. 7 in Most Innovative Schools, and No. 6 for Business Programs.
Net Price: $29,817
Score: 81.4
9. Georgia Institute of Technology – Atlanta, GA
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Website
The Georgia Institute of Technology offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration through its Scheller College of Business. The program builds students' skills in accounting, finance, information technology, leadership, marketing, operations and supply chain management, and strategy and innovation. The curriculum includes courses in Career Development, Legal Aspects of Business, and Technical Communication.
Georgia Tech is a public research university with the main campus in Atlanta, Georgia. It also operates a satellite campus in Savannah, Georgia as well as international campuses in China, France, Ireland, and Singapore. It is a member institution of the University System of Georgia. It is classified as a university with very high research university by the Carnegie Foundation. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university No. 35 in National Universities, No. 8 in Top Public Schools, and No. 4 in Most Innovative Schools.
Net Price: $15,873
Score: 83.9
8. University of Arizona – Tucson, AZ
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Website
The University of Arizona's Eller College of Management offers an online program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. The program emphasizes innovation and strategy in business. The core curriculum explores aspects of business communication; business law and ethics, economics, finance, information systems, marketing, management, and operations. Elective course options include Innovation Principles and Environments, Introduction to Human Resource Management, and Real Estate Finance and Investment.
Founded in 1885, U of A was the first university in the Arizona Territory. Today, it is a public research university in Tucson, Arizona. It is classified as a university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation. Much of the university's research is funded by NASA. Researchers in the Steward Observatory Mirror Lab are working to build the world's most advanced telescope, the Giant Magellan Telescope. U.S. News & World Report ranks UA No. 106 in National Universities, No. 97 in Best Value Schools, and No. 46 in Top Public Schools.
Net Price: $15,758
Score: 84.5
7. University of Wisconsin – Madison, WI
Bachelor of Business Administration
Website
The University of Wisconsin – Madison offers a Bachelor of Business Administration through its School of Business. Students can choose from among 10 business major options, including Actuarial Science, International Business, Real Estate, and Risk Management and Insurance. The core business curriculum consists of four courses: Introduction to Finance, Marketing Management, Managing Organizations, and Operations Management.
Located in Madison, UW is the official state university of Wisconsin and the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It is the oldest and largest public university in the state. It is counted among the nation's "Public Ivy" universities. A land-grant institution, UW is classified as a Doctoral Research University with the Highest Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university No. 49 in National Universities and No. 15 in Top Public Schools.
Net Price: $15,910
Score: 85.1
6. University of Texas at Austin – Austin, TX
Bachelor of Business Administration
Website
The University of Texas at Austin offers a Bachelor of Business Administration through its McCombs School of Business. Students can choose a major in Accounting, Finance, International Business, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Science and Technology Management, and Supply Chain Management. Business courses include Business Communications, Business Finance, and Business Law & Ethics.
UT Austin is a public research university and the flagship institution of the University of Texas System. It is counted among the nation's "Public Ivy" universities. The university conducts scientific research in areas such as biofuels, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, and pharmacy. U.S. News & World Report ranks the institution No. 49 in National Universities, No. 16 in Most Innovative Schools, and No. 15 in Top Public Schools. It is also ranked No. 6 for Business Programs and No. 1 in Accounting.
Net Price: $14,356
Score: 83.4
5. University of Southern California – Los Angeles, CA
Bachelor in Business Administration
Website
The University of Southern California offers a Bachelor in Business Administration through its Marshall School of Business. The degree program incorporates mentorship, international travel opportunities, and an emphasis on career planning throughout. Students can choose from among 80 minors, such as biotech, communications design, Spanish, and cinematic arts. Business core courses include Data Analysis for Decision Making, Marketing Fundamentals, and Organizational Behavior and Leadership. Experiential learning electives include Building Oral Communication Expertise, Practicum in Advertising & Promotion Design, and Social Innovation Design Lab.
Founded in 1880, USC is the oldest private research university in California. Its University Park campus is located two miles from Downtown Los Angeles. A sea- and space-grant institution, USC is the birthplace of such digital advancements as antivirus software, DNA computing, and the Domain Name System. In 2015, Forbes ranked the USC Marshall School of Business third in the nation for postgraduate job satisfaction. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University No. 22 in National Universities, No. 37 in Best Value Schools, and No. 28 in Most Innovative Schools. It is ranked 10th for Business Programs.
Net Price: $32,892
Score: 86.1
4. Indiana University Bloomington – Bloomington, IN
Bachelor of Science in Business
Website
Indiana University Bloomington offers a Bachelor of Science in Business through its Kelley School of Business. Students can choose from majors including Accounting; Digital and Social Media Business Applications; International Business; Law, Ethics, & Decision-Making; Public Policy Analysis; Real Estate; and Supply Chain Management. The curriculum includes an Integrative Core of four classes spanning one semester. Students may also participate in an overseas study experience.
Located in Bloomington, IUB is the flagship campus and largest institution of the Indiana University system. The public research university is counted among the nation's "Public Ivy" universities for its high-quality education. The university's Kelley School of Business partners with Scotts Miracle-Gro Company to offer students real-world brand management experience. U.S. News & World Report ranks IUB No. 89 in National Universities, No. 38 in Top Public Schools, and No. 10 in Business Programs.
Net Price: $12,488
Score: 92.3
3. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, MI
Bachelor of Business Administration
Website
The University of Michigan offers a Bachelor of Business Administration through its Ross School of Business. The program emphasizes active experiential learning and offers a variety of global learning experiences. Students can also choose to complete a dual degree through another U of M departments, such as the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design or the School of Kinesiology. Core BBA courses include Financial Accounting; Business & Leaders: The Positive Differences; Professional Communication Strategies; and Corporate Strategy.
U of M is the state flagship and oldest university in Michigan. A public research university, U of M is classified as a Doctoral University with Very High Research by the Carnegie Classification. In addition to its main Ann Arbor campus, the university operates campuses in Dearborn and Flint. U.S. News & World Report ranks U of M No. 27 in National Universities, No. 12 in Most Innovative Schools, and No. 4 in Top Public Schools. It is ranked No. 4 for Business Programs.
Net Price: $10,906
Score: 95.7
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Chapel Hill, NC
Bachelor of Business
Website
The University of North Carolina offers a Bachelor of Business through its Kenan-Flagler Business School. The program emphasizes action-based learning and global learning opportunities. Students may choose an area of emphases such as Entrepreneurship, Investment Banking, or Real Estate. The core business curriculum includes courses in Leading and Managing, Legal & Ethical Environment of Business, Principles of Marketing, and Corporate Strategy.
UNC-Chapel Hill is one of three schools allowed to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States. The university has been referred to as a "Public Ivy" institution. U.S. News & World Report ranks UNC No. 30 in National Universities, No. 8 in Best Value Schools, and No. 5 in Top Public Schools. It is ranked No. 8 in Business Programs.
Net Price: $11,100
Score: 99.6
1. University of California, Berkeley – Berkeley, CA
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Website
The University of California, Berkeley's Bachelor of Science in Business Administration is Best Value Schools' No. 1 undergraduate Business program. The highly selective degree program is offered through the university's Haas School of Business. Students may explore specific areas of interest through earning a minor, or through global opportunities. Core courses explore principles of accounting, business communication, finance, marketing, and organizational behavior. Elective offerings include Leading People; Philanthropy: A Cross-Cultural Perspective; and The Social, Political and Ethical Environment of Business.
Founded in 1868, Berkeley is the flagship institution of the University of California system's 10 research universities. The public institution has research relationships with three U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories and is also home to its own institutes, such as the Space Sciences Laboratory. Berkeley is historically noted for its student-run Free Speech and Anti-Vietnam War Movements. U.S. News & World Report ranks Berkeley No. 22 in National Universities, No. 24 in Most Innovative Schools, and No. 2 in Top Public Schools. The site also ranks the university No. 2 in Business Programs.