What Is Business Administration?
Many people find themselves asking the question ‘What is business administration?’ Business administration is simply managing a business. There are many different types of managerial roles in the business world. These range from managing a small team all the way up to managing a global corporation. Employees in nearly every industry will find themselves in a managerial role as they advance in their careers. This makes an education in business administration very valuable. Of course, a business administration degree is also useful for people who plan to start their own businesses.
Top Business Administration Schools
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida | Gainesville, Florida |
| 2 | University of North Carolina | Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
| 3 | University of Iowa | Iowa City, Iowa |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin | Madison, Wisconsin |
| 5 | University of Maryland | College Park, Maryland |
Why Is Business Administration Such A Popular Degree?
What is Business Administration? Business administration is and has always been a very popular major for college students. Business Administration (sometimes simply called “Business” or “Business Management”) is among the most popular majors at nearly every institution in the country. The reason for this is simple. A degree in business administration is very versatile. Business administration grads can go into nearly every industry. Their well-rounded and valuable educational experiences make them highly prized recruits for many employers.
What Can Business Administration Graduates Do?
A business administration grad fresh out of college may be qualified for a number of different positions. Some employers look for business administration grads to fill entry-level management positions that involve running a small team. Business administration degree holders can also find opportunities as entry-level consultants at a consulting firm. Many business administration graduates also pursue this degree with an eye toward starting their own business when they graduate from college. We have also created a list of the best PhD in Business Administration programs.
Best 25 Business Administration Schools in 2020
University of Florida
The University of Florida is home to our top-ranked business administration program. The degree can be completed fully online or on campus. There are five concentrations for students to choose between, including Finance, Information Systems, Management, Economics, and Marketing.
School Overview
University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina is one of the top public universities in the country overall, so it should come as no surprise that its business administration program ranks near the top. Business education at this institution focuses heavily on ethics and social responsibility. Business administration students can choose from nine different specializations.
School Overview
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa offers a leading business administration program. The business program builds upon Iowa’s renowned liberal arts education, which students must complete before taking classes in their major. Business students can choose from six majors, a minor, and even three certificate programs.
School Overview
University of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin has the top business administration program in the state. The program was established in 1900, making it one of the five oldest business programs in the country. There are several different majors within the business administration program, including international business, real estate, and more.
School Overview
University of Maryland
The University of Maryland offers an affordable and high-quality business administration program. Maryland’s business program is known for being very innovative. Students can choose between eight different specializations.
School Overview
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Purdue University
Purdue University is often considered to be the top public university in Indiana, so it should come as no surprise that its business administration program is highly ranked. The business curriculum at Purdue is built upon a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) foundation. Students can choose between eight different specializations.
School Overview
The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University offers many highly ranked programs, one of which is business administration. Ohio State’s business curriculum emphasizes practical experience. Global business is also a focus of the business programs at Ohio State.
School Overview
University of Washington
The University of Washington is one of the few institutions on this list from the Pacific Northwest. The business programs at this school are focused on entrepreneurship. UW is known for having a very low student-to-faculty ratio.
School Overview
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is the higher-ranked of the two schools from Georgia on this list. The business program offers nine different specializations, including real estate (which few schools offer). Students have many internship opportunities to ensure that they can get hands-on experience before they graduate.
School Overview
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University offers a leading business administration program. The business program at Texas A&M is focused on practical training and experience. Students can choose from seven different specializations. There are even opportunities to study at the satellite campus in Qatar.
School Overview
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology (also called Georgia Tech) may be better known for its STEM programs, but it also has an excellent business administration program. The business program is known for its focus on technology and entrepreneurship. The business administration program offers students the opportunity to choose between seven different specializations.
School Overview
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is one of the largest and most innovative universities in the world, and the business administration program is home to thousands of students. These students can benefit from a world-class business analytics program. If students choose to pursue graduate education, ASU offers both masters and Ph.D. degrees in business.
School Overview
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech boasts the top-ranked business administration program in the state. The business programs at Virginia Tech are known for their emphasis on analytics and entrepreneurship. Students can choose from seven different specializations, including a rare Hospitality and Tourism Management major.
School Overview
University of Colorado
The University of Colorado-Boulder, better known as CU-Boulder, offers an innovative and affordable business administration program. The program offers specializations such as entrepreneurship, marketing, and more. Students have many internship opportunities within the local community.
School Overview
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is known as one of the best public universities in the country, and the business administration program certainly contributes to this reputation. In fact, the business school at Michigan State is one of the largest in the nation. Students can choose from seven specializations, including accounting, marketing, and more.
School Overview
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is the second of the two programs from the state to feature on our list. The business administration program offers students the opportunity to customize their course of study by choosing between nine different majors. The student-to-faculty ratio at the University of Arizona is quite low, so students can get the personalized attention they need.
School Overview
Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University is a top-ranked public university, and its business administration program is one of the best in the nation. The business program at Penn State allows students to study before two years before they choose their specialization. This allows them to find the field that interests them the most.
School Overview
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, also known simply as Pitt, is another top-ranked business school in Pennsylvania. The business program offers seven majors and five certificates. Business students at Pitt have many internship opportunities that allow them to make connections and get real-world experience before they graduate.
School Overview
University of Notre Dame
The prestigious University of Notre Dame offers a unique business administration program. The program is focused on business ethics and responsible leadership. Notre Dame’s business programs are also known for offering many internship opportunities.
School Overview
Washington University
Washington University-St. Louis (WUSTL) is known for its humanities programs, but it also has a top-notch business administration program. The business school is known for offering students access to cutting-edge research. Business programs at WUSTL also emphasize experiential learning.
School Overview
Emory University
Emory University is one of the most prestigious private universities in the South. The business administration program offers five concentrations: finance, information systems and operations management, marketing accounting, and strategy and management consulting. Emory has a very low student-to-faculty ratio to ensure students get the personalized attention they need to succeed.
School Overview
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a prestigious private institution in Washington D.C. As you might expect from an institution located in the political capital of the country, Georgetown’s business programs focus on the intersection of government and industry. Georgetown’s business school is known for its focus on entrepreneurship.
School Overview
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League institution, and a business degree from this school will certainly set workers in any industry apart. Students can choose to study in the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, the School of Hotel Administration or the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Like all Ivy League institutions, Cornell has a very low student-to-faculty ratio.
School Overview
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California, also known as USC, offers a wide-ranging business administration program. USC’s business programs focus on entrepreneurship. Many graduates go on to work in the entertainment industry.
School Overview
New York University
New York University has the highest-ranked business administration program in America’s business capital. NYU offers both a business degree and a major in Business & Political Economy (BPE). The business degree allows students to choose between 11 different concentrations, while the BPE degree requires students to study abroad for two semesters.
School Overview
How We Ranked These Schools
We took two factors into consideration when ranking the schools on this list. Firstly, we looked at each school’s yearly tuition rates. If the school has different rates for resident students and non-resident students, we consider the resident tuition rate. Next, we took a look at the graduation rate for each school. To find each school’s final rating, we took the yearly tuition and added a multiplier equivalent to the percentage of enrolled students who did not end up graduating. Example: School A has yearly tuition of $10,000 per year and a 70% graduation rate. School A’s rating is 13,000 (10,000 x 130%). A lower rating is better than a higher rating.
If you are a representative of one of the schools on this list and you want to correct a mistake or ask a question, feel free to contact us.
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