THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT KNOXVILLE*

As the only major public university in the state, University of Tennessee is a mid-size school with something to offer for every type of student. Located in an urban hub, the university boasts unparalleled school spirit, thrilling sports teams, and an array of nationally-ranked academic programs within the Haslam College of Business. With 83% of business students completing an internship, Haslam College advocates for hands-on learning experiences, professional development opportunities, and first year learning communities designed for student engagement and excellence. Especially motivated students seeking international awareness and cultural development are well-suited for the Smith Global Leadership Scholars program. 

Admit Rate: 78%

Cost of Attendance: $50,898

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY*

Located in scenic Spokane, Washington, Gonzaga University is a mid-sized liberal arts college that embodies the Jesuit tradition of service to others coupled with a rigorous core curriculum as well as a student body committed to social justice. The undergraduate School of Business Administration(SBA) located in the state of the art Jepson Center is the academic home to over a quarter of all Gonzaga students. SBA takes advantage of its locale, offering students field trips and internships with local companies, like Microsoft. 

One-of-a-kind resources, like the new Jack H. Hemmingson Finance Lab, features cutting-edge technology, a 45’ stock ticker, and access to various financial databases. Students hoping to serve as future business leaders should consider the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, a three-year honors-model program that integrates career-ready business education with ethical leadership development in a community learning environment. 

Admit Rate: 61%

Cost of Attendance: 64,802

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY*

For the feel of a small liberal arts college with the resources of a public research university, look no further than Michigan State, located in the small city of East Lansing. MSU features well-regarded pre-professional programs for undergraduates in fields ranging from hospitality management to education. The Broad College of Business features seven business majors and nine business minors taught by renowned, multi-disciplinary faculty. In short: business students at MSU have choices, though their top ranked Supply Chain Management and Public Hospitality Programs are a good place to start. Additional headlines include the Residential Business Community (RBC), a community living experience that not only equips students with the skills to succeed in college, but with the cultural intelligence and leadership abilities necessary for a business career; the MSU Consulting Academy prepares students for a high-pressure, high-reward career in management consulting through immersive training and programming. 

Admit Rate: 71%

Cost of Attendance: 54, 536

COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON*

The 13th oldest college in the nation, College of Charleston is rich in history and beauty--in fact, the campus is a national landmark! Now a public institution, College of Charleston remains committed to the liberal arts ideals of its founding, and aims to develop creative expression, intellectual curiosity, and an entrepreneurial approach to social problem solving in each of its 8,762 undergraduates through a core curriculum. 

The School of Business offers ten undergraduate majors and 12 minors within the broader field of business administration, in addition to specialized concentrations in areas like Entrepreneurship, Real Estate, and Leadership for Sustainability. College of Charleston prioritizes student enrichment and career readiness through specialized, hands-on experiences, including the BMW Logistics Advantage Program for students of supply chain management, and the Carter Real Estate Center, which prepares business students to better understand the seemingly-tumultuous  housing market. 

Admit Rate: 78%

Cost of Attendance: $51, 483 

JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY*

Though initially a teachers’ college, James Madison University has made a name for itself for its nationally recognized and celebrated College of Business. By placing emphasis on undergraduate experience and teaching, JMU business students have ample opportunity to connect with their professors and peers while earning a world class bachelor’s in business administration. Officially declaring a business major, requires completion of  9 lower-level business courses before enrolling in the College’s celebrated COB 300: Integrative Business. This four-course module is taught by a team of business faculty representing a diverse array of disciplines, allowing students gauge the unique interplay among specialties, while developing collaborative relationships with their peers. Each of COB 300’s courses, focused on the areas of Management, Finance, Operations, and Marketing, feature a deep dive into business fundamentals, providing a scaffold upon which expertise is built. The program culminates in the development of a viable business plan--a vital step toward career success! 

Admit Rate: 76%

Cost of Attendance: $45, 680

UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO 

Just 2 miles north of Downtown San Diego, with panoramic views of the Pacific ocean, the University of San Diego deserves a spot on college lists for those seeking an ethical and compassionate student body and rigorous academic programs. First year students join one of five living/learning communities (LLCs), which not only assist in the transition to college, but in the path to academic and career success as well. 

With 9 undergraduate business majors, USD’s School of Business offers a personalized education taught by professors, not graduate students. If the sights of San Diego aren’t enough, USD’s international partnerships propel motivated students seeking Double Degrees from universities abroad. Housed in the newly-constructed Knauss Center for Business Education grants access to resources like the Innovation Catalyzer: a student-centered maker space designed to incubate and propel student projects from ideas to viable businesses. 

Admit Rate: 48%

Cost of Attendance: $72, 033

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH 

Located in one of the most livable cities in the country, the University of Pittsburgh is fast becoming a university worth a second look due to its especially well-ranked programs in the health fields, business, and philosophy. Pitt invests in providing hands-on and co-curricular learning experiences for its students. The Outside the Classroom Curriculum Program, open to all students regardless of major, in order to encourage students to take full advantage of their collegiate experience. Additionally, Pitt’s Career Center features an unmatched internship guarantee program, matching students to local internships based on their interests. 

Pitt Business continues this vision of curricular and co-curricular engagement. Coupled with a 96% first destination career placement rate for graduates, Pitt Business graduates are guaranteed an education that is well-rounded, thoughtful, and bolstered by experiential learning. Students interested in meaningful internship experiences with esteemed business partners, should check out the The Emerging Ethical Leaders Program. 

Admit Rate: 56%

Cost of Attendance: $49, 174

BENTLEY UNIVERSITY* 

Best known for its undergraduate business program, internship placement rates, and career-readiness, Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts offers much for the prospective business student. Hailed for producing “liberally educated business students,” Bentley provides its undergraduates with business education fundamentals coupled with a liberal arts core. First Year Seminars provide support through the transition to college, and a six-week Career Development Seminar prepares freshmen for internship and career opportunities from the start. In fact, 92% of Bentley students complete at least 1 internship before graduating, and the university boasts a 98% job placement rate. In short, Bentley University means business. 

Regardless of major, every Bentley student receives an education in a general business core curriculum, ensuring every graduate is ready to tackle the corporate world from a place of information and fluency. To further individualize the education process, Bentley offers both a B.A. and a B.S. in Business, and an array of specialized degrees in business to help students turn their passions into careers. Bentley also features cutting edge labs and learning communities meant to enhance collaboration, technological savvy, and career readiness.       

Admit Rate: 46%

Cost of Attendance: 73, 985

UNIVERSITY OF DENVER* 

Hailed for its Rocky Mountain landscapes and innovative business school, the University of Denver is the only school on this list that operates on the quarter system. The Daniels College of Business offers unbeatable breadth and depth of study that will surely capture the attention of even the most niche prospective student. First Year Business students must complete the Business Core, which provides the educational foundation in business topics and career readiness with courses like, “The Fourth Industrial Revolution,” wherein students build a business from the ground up. 

University of Denver’s business program also heavily features experiential learning opportunities. For example, in Business Analytics Consulting, students are required to wield their accumulated learning to solve an actual problem for a local business. Students who wish to pursue interdisciplinary advanced degrees are encouraged to dive into a 4+1 program, which culminates in both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.   

Admit Rate: 58%

Cost of Attendance: $71, 929



*AACSB accredited (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International)