Top 5 Business Programs

The projected growth of employment in the business and financial fields is projected to grow 8 percent by 2030. With a steady demand for business and financial professionals and a median annual wage of $72,000, which is higher than the average median wage of $42,000 for all occupations, business remains one of the most popular undergraduate majors. It also doesn’t hurt that the employment placement rate for alumni is over 90% within 3 months of graduation.

Whether your career goal is to become a personal financial advisor or a budget analyst, building a strong foundation is key. Fortunately, you simply have to read on for a straightforward exploration of the Top 5 Business Programs in the nation.

5. New York University

New York University (NYU) is ranked #5 in US New’s 2022 Best Undergraduate Business Programs. One standout feature of the NYU Stern School of Business program is its professional development resources; in fact, Stern has recently been rated by the Global University as #1 in the employability of graduates.

NYU Stern’s Professional Development and Career Education (PDCE) program includes the Professional Development Series, a semester-long series designed to cultivate the personal and professional skills necessary to secure internships and jobs through personal branding, building resume and interview skills, and learning how to network. Each session invites firm representatives to share their stories, allowing students a glimpse into real-world professional environments. It’s no surprise that NYU boasts a 95% placement rate within 6 months of graduation with a median salary of more than $78,000!

Students can choose from five comprehensive degree programs, a unique level of flexibility that encourages exploration and customization. Just within NYU’s flagship program, the BS in Business, there is an offering of 13 business concentrations ranging from computing and data science to sustainable business.

4. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ranked #4 by US News, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor stands apart with a curriculum founded on action-based learning.

The Michigan Business Challenge, a campus-wide business plan competition with prizes totaling over $100,000, offers students an opportunity to gain real-world experience. Participants start by pitching original business plans and conducting marketing and financial assessments. In each round, participants gain feedback from a panel of judges that consists of entrepreneurs and investors. In Round Two, participants receive personalized coaching from the Zell Lurie Institute; in the semi-finals, each team must describe their solutions for a pressing market need or pain, and, in the finals, students complete a full business plan and investor presentation. Past winners include Lillian Augusta, “a brand that revolutionizes Black hair care by offering hair without harm” and Comme Homme, “a direct-to-consumer cosmetic and lifestyle brand serving American bald men.”

Most of the other opportunities for action-based learning are within the classroom. For example, in the course Action Learning Projects in Operations Procurement and Supply Chain Management students address major operations or supply chain problems in a company.

3. University of California-Berkeley

UC-Berkeley places at #3 on our list of Top 5 Business Programs. One unique aspect of UC-Berkeley’s Haas Business Program includes the flexibility of its degree options, including the BS in Business Administration, which integrates a liberal arts curriculum to produce well-rounded graduates.

Students with an interest in both Business and Engineering may choose to pursue the MET Program, the Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology Program. This curriculum allows students to earn two Bachelor of Science degrees simultaneously, one program within the College of Engineering and one within the Haas School of Business, resulting in a choice of seven different tracks, from Industrial Engineering & Operations Research + Business to Materials Science & Engineering + Business. Students further benefit from this unparalleled program with an intimate tight-knit cohort.

Another joint degree program, the Robinson Life Sciences, Business, and Entrepreneurship (LSBE) Program, integrates biology and business to bridge scientific inquiry and research with entrepreneurship and commercial application. Students who choose this track will earn a BS in Business Administration and a BA in Molecular and Cell Biology with a choice of 5 different emphases.

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The next university that we will explore is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, better known as MIT, which comes in at #2 on our list today.

Before we dive in, it’s important to understand the way departments are referred to here. Educational departments are known as “courses.” In our case, we are only concerned with Course 15, also known as the Sloan School of Management. Course 15 includes 3 different majors: the BS in Management (Course 15-1), the BS in Business Analytics (Course 15-2), and the BS in Finance (Course 15-3).

The BS in Management provides a strong foundation in probability and statistics, managerial communication and psychology, microeconomics, and accounting. As upperclassmen, students personalize their education, first through a series of selections in core business functions, then through individualized concentrations. Meanwhile, the BS in Business Analytics makes a great option for students also interested in math and computer science. Within this course, students will explore techniques like data modeling and machine learning. Last but not least, the BS in Finance trains students in, not only the theory of finance, but also the application of these tools within the industry.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Our #1 undergraduate business program belongs to the University of Pennsylvania. Go Quakers! As the very first collegiate business school in the world, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania remains at the top of the class, so to speak.

One important factor that helps UPenn remain #1 in the field is its interactive and innovative Alfred West Jr. Learning Lab. The Learning Lab is designed to run simulations that help immerse students in real-world business situations. The kicker is that these simulations are gamified, allowing users to learn, for example, marketing analysis concepts while having fun.

Another distinctive quality is their integrated curriculum. With at least 10 required course units in the liberal arts and science, the Wharton curriculum blends business with the arts and sciences to prepare students to make an impact in any career of their choice.