Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Schools are assigned a value from 1-100, where 100 is best for students from households earning up to $30,000. This value is multiplied by the percentage of the school’s student body that received a Pell Grant, to calculate the economic mobility score. A higher score is better. Read the full explanation
The percentage of a school’s student body that has received a Pell Grant.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Business people have the ability to make smart decisions despite uncertainty. But where do the men and women in suits get their savvy? For many, a key first step on the road to success is choosing one of the best undergraduate business schools.
From an economic perspective, a B.B.A. is an ok degree. The average business major earns $431 lessper year more per year than the national average for all bachelor’s holders (whether or not they end up working in business). While there are worse majors out there, a B.B.A. won’t automatically land you a high paying job as soon as you finish college and some business-related degrees unlock higher earnings. That makes it all the more important that you pick a good program.
On the other hand, business majors can earn big salaries later in their career – especially if they go on to get an M.B.A (their median earnings are $57,109).
Not sure what you want to major in? Use our tool below to compare several degrees based on outcomes like future earnings. Find out which are worth it, and which just aren’t.
Click on a degree card to reveal more information.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
-$226
PAYBACK
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
3.7
ECONOMIC SCORE
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
We rank degrees by value for money, i.e. return on investment (ROI). This rewards schools that are the “best deal,” offering higher salaries after graduation for relatively low costs up front. You can read more on our methodology page.
This ranking includes 974 accredited bachelor’s in business programs at 4-year universities in the U.S. We only include schools that disclose sufficient earnings and/or cost data to the National Center for Education Statistics. For-profit colleges were not included. Community colleges, fully online schools, and non-accredited institutions were also excluded.
To be included on this list, programs must be registered as #[Business Administration, Management and Operations - 52.02]# with the Department of Education’s CIP code classification system. These programs may be referred to by slightly different names by the universities themselves. You can see what types of programs fall under CIP code 52.02 on the NCES website.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$17,371
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$123,780
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate94%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Berkeley is a world-famous public research university in California’s bay area. It is often ranked as one of America’s Public Ivies. Undergrads at Berkeley can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, which is offered through the Haas School of Business. The school also offers undergraduate degrees in management entrepreneurship & technology; global management; and life sciences, business & entrepreneurship.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$34,550
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$123,200
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate91%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The 3rd private college on this list, Carnegie Mellon is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is a well-known research university famous for its cutting-edge developments in science and technology. It is represented by the Tartans. Its Tepper undergraduate business school boasts a very low student-to-faculty ratio.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$16,792
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$116,095
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate94%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Another Public Ivy, UMich is located just outside of Detroit. It is the oldest and largest university in Michigan. The mascot is the Wolverines. The Ross School of Business BBA degree prides itself on its students’ success after graduation, with 99.6% of graduates accepting a job offer by September 30.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$24,142
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$107,945
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate92%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The first private university on this top list, Emory is located in bustling Atlanta, Georgia – more specifically in the historic Druid Hills neighborhood. While it is officially affiliated with the United Methodist Church, making it one of the top Christian-affiliated schools in the country, its curriculum is largely secular. The Goizueta Business School at Emory offers a BBA that covers all the foundational topics of a business education, like economics, finance, and management.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$40,849
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$105,314
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate81%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$12,414
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$105,246
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate91%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
UNC-Chapel Hill is a public research university in scenic North Carolina, not far from Durham and Raleigh. It is one of the oldest public universities in the U.S., and its nickname is the Tar Heels. The UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School offers a B.S.B.A, or bachelor of science in business administration degree. This program is competitive, but graduates leave with a sound understanding of management, finances, accounting, economics, and business analytics.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$28,590
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$104,296
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate72%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$38,104
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$100,049
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate88%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$29,479
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$98,403
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate93%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Washington and Lee is a private liberal arts college in Lexington, Virginia. Founded in 1749, it is one of the oldest universities in the country. The college is located in the magnificent Shenandoah Valley region. Business administration majors at W&L take a broad range of courses across disciplines, as well as course requirements like economics, accounting, statistics, marketing management, and more.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$13,565
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$96,358
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate84%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Brigham Young is a private university affiliated with the Church of Latter-Day Saints. Located in Provo, Utah, it is one of the best-value conservative colleges out there. Its B.S. in Business Management can lead to a career in a variety of fields, including human resource management, retail management, and entrepreneurship.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$39,271
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$93,488
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate81%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$39,107
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$91,169
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate74%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$26,138
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$90,686
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate96%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$34,994
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$89,884
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate94%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$16,590
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$88,783
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate85%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$35,965
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$88,049
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate94%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$29,462
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$87,767
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate93%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$45,582
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$87,423
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate86%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$39,090
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$86,804
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate92%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$27,779
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$86,755
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate89%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The best bachelor’s in business administration programs in your state
Highest earning states for business majors
State
Average salary
Utah
$71,586
Massachusetts
$68,645
Maryland
$67,947
New Hampshire
$65,190
Connecticut
$64,648
What can you do with a business degree?
Nearly 12,450,000 Americans work in business. Of these, only 25% have an advanced degree higher than a bachelor’s. Below, we show the highest-paid jobs typically available to business majors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A business degree will most likely get you a job in a corporation, although you’ll be well equipped to set up shop as an entrepreneur too.
Thinking about getting your B.B.A online? Have no fear! Online degrees are respected more and more. In fact, people with a bachelor’s-level business degree earn $56,252 on average, which is 2% less more than those who studied on campus. We reveal the best-value online business administration degrees below.
Coursework will depend on your specialization; however, business majors of all stripes will generally need some knowledge of one or more of the 3 “languages of business”: economics, finance, and accounting. This will usually involve some math and statistics, although certain concentrations, like HR, are more soft-skill oriented.
In addition, business majors may learn about the fundamentals of marketing, management, entrepreneurship, and ethics. To be effective corporate employees, business grads will need to acquire strong communication and problem-solving skills.
Click on a degree card to reveal more information.
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