Learn about the top business schools and which one is perfect for you
If you’re someone who loves practical problem solving, collaboration, and is a visionary—embracing technology and data as powerful tools for business, you might be a business professional in the making. And good for you! Business is a quickly growing, highly lucrative career field.
The world of business is in the process of transformation—rapidly changing technologies and the ubiquity of data. These same forces drive the necessity for a new generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs. Interdisciplinary problem solvers who understand how to leverage technology and information to create value for business and society.
You may be asking yourself: where do I fit in—am I interested in intellectual leadership, contributing to the discovery of innovative solutions—or how can I best leverage my strengths.
What are the best business schools for me? Which colleges offer the type of business program that fits my needs?
Keep reading to learn about the best business schools and discover how to decide which one is right for you.
Top business schools
If you want to earn a reputable business degree, you have plenty of options to choose from. Below is a list of the 11 best business schools.
I’ve listed relevant factors about each university to help you determine if it’s a school worth exploring further. Pay special attention to the business majors offered by each college—make sure they offer what you’re looking for!
- U.S. News & World Report Rank for business #1
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Private or Public: Private
- Undergraduate acceptance rate: 8%
- Average high school GPA: 3.9
- Average SAT score: 1460-1570
- Average ACT score: 33-35
- Annual tuition & fees: $61,710
- Student-faculty ratio: 4:1
- 4-year graduation rate: 86%
- WOW factors: Wharton School of Business offers students: innovative learning; leadership development; co-curricular activities, conferences, research, and club life; professional advisors
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- U.S. News & World Report Rank for business #2
- Location: Cambridge, MA
- Private or Public: Private
- Undergraduate acceptance rate: 7%
- Average high school GPA: 4.16
- Average SAT score: 1510-1580
- Average ACT score: 34-36
- Annual tuition & fees: $55,878
- Student-faculty ratio: 3:1
- 4-year graduation rate: 87%
- WOW Factors: MIT Sloan School of Management offers students: deep understanding of management education grounded in the scientific method; inclusive, welcoming, supportive, and empowering learning environments; Student Advisory Board; Course 15 education climate study
University of California — Berkeley
- U.S. News & World Report Rank for business #3
- Location: Berkeley, CA
- Private or Public: Public
- Undergraduate acceptance rate: 17%
- Average high school GPA: 3.86
- Average SAT score: 1310 – 1530
- Average ACT score: 28-34
- Annual tuition & fees: $14,361 (in-state), $44,115 (out-of-state)
- Student-faculty ratio: 19:1
- 4-year graduation rate: 76%
- WOW factors: Haas School of Business offers students: endless networking opportunities; at the center of innovation; established excellence in teaching; available summer intensives; cohort experience
University of Michigan — Ann Arbor
- U.S. News & World Report Rank for business #4
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
- Private or Public: Public
- Undergraduate acceptance rate: 26%
- Average high school GPA: 3.87
- Average SAT score: 1340-1520
- Average ACT score: 31-34
- Annual tuition & fees: $14,498 (in-state) and $47,148 (out-of-state)
- Student-faculty ratio: 4:1
- 4-year graduation rate: 80%
- WOW factors: Michigan Ross offers students: action-based learning; consult with real-world businesses on strategic-issues; help manage student-run investment fund; operate an ongoing business unit with a corporate partner; student-lead conferences
- U.S. News & World Report Rank for business #5
- Location: New York, NY
- Private or Public: Private
- Undergraduate acceptance rate: 13%
- Average high school GPA: 3.71
- Average SAT score: 1370-1540
- Average ACT score: 31-34
- Annual tuition & fees: $47,942
- Student-faculty ratio: 8:1
- 4-year graduation rate: 79%
- WOW factors: Stern School of Business offers students: access to vast array of resources to aid in professional development and help maximize the true unique opportunities of NYC; Professional Development and Career education; leading industry partners; five specialty business concentrations
- U.S. News & World Report Rank for business #6
- Location: Austin, TX
- Private or Public: Public
- Undergraduate acceptance rate: 32%
- Average high school GPA: 3.83
- Average SAT score: 1210-1470
- Average ACT score: 26-33
- Annual tuition & fees: $10,1396 (in-state), $35,766 (out-of-state)
- Student-faculty ratio: 18:1
- 4-year graduation rate: 70%
- WOW factors: McCombs School of Business offers students: seven specialty business concentrations; integrative research; customized degree options; learn with industry leaders in hand-on classroom experiences
- U.S. News & World Report Rank for business #7
- Location: Pittsburg, PA
- Private or Public: Private
- Undergraduate acceptance rate: 17%
- Average high school GPA: 3.85
- Average SAT score: 1460 – 1560
- Average ACT score: 33-35
- Annual tuition & fees: $52,732
- Student-faculty ratio: 6:1
- 4-year graduation rate: 80%
- WOW factors: Tepper School of Business offers students: interdisciplinary initiatives and innovation; an interconnected partner for all Carnegie Mellon colleges, integrating business, technology, and analytics
- U.S. News & World Report Rank for business #8 (tie)
- Location: Ithaca, NY
- Private or Public: Private
- Undergraduate acceptance rate: 11%
- Average high school GPA: 3.9
- Average SAT score: 1460 – 1570
- Average ACT score: 34 – 36
- Annual tuition & fees: $52,895
- Student-faculty ratio: 6:1
- 4-year graduation rate: 86%
- WOW factors: Cornell SC Johnson College of Business offers students: performance learning; worldwide reach; collaborative research; alumni connections; one college—three schools where breadth meets specialized depth
Indiana University — Bloomington
- U.S. News & World Report Rank for business #8 (tie)
- Location: Bloomington, IN
- Private or Public: Public
- Undergraduate acceptance rate: 80%
- Average high school GPA: 3.75
- Average SAT score: 1120 – 1350
- Average ACT score: 24 – 31
- Annual tuition & fees: $11,334 (in-state), $38,354 (out-of-state)
- Student-faculty ratio: 16:1
- 4-year graduation rate: 68%
- WOW factors: Kelley School of Business offers students: experience—internships that lead to jobs with major companies, from finance to retail; expertise—120+ faculty experts across campus offers opportunities to engage and learn from industry leaders; career prep—Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program to fuel your startup ideas; resources—Mark Cuban Center for Sports Media and Technology, Sage Fashion Collection, and much more
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- U.S. News & World Report Rank for business #8 (tie)
- Location: Chapel Hill, NC
- Private or Public: Public
- Undergraduate acceptance rate: 24%
- Average high school GPA: 4.39
- Average SAT score: 1270 – 1470
- Average ACT score: 27 – 33
- Annual tuition & fees: $8,992 (in-state), $36,776 (out-of-state)
- Student-faculty ratio: 15:1
- 4-year graduation rate: 85%
- WOW factors: UNC Kengan-Flagler offers students: action-based learning opportunities; excellent student outcomes; dynamic, customizable student experiences; transformational global opportunities; a dedicated business career services team; an engaged alumni network
How to choose the best business school for you
Now you have eleven amazing schools to consider in your college search. But you can’t attend all of them. So how do you know which one is the best fit for you?
First, make sure a college offers the business major you want to study. There’s a lot of different major options on that list, so go ahead and research the ones you don’t know about. Maybe you’ll develop a passion in a completely new area of business.
You’ll also want to research the different business department and see what opportunities they provide students. What types of internships are available? What special resources and programs does the school offer? Consider how you’ll be prepared for your first business job.
It doesn’t hurt to research the business professors, too. What experience do they have? What type of research or active business work are they currently doing? These are your potential mentors, so choose them wisely.
And of course, look outside the business program to see if you’ll like the college as a whole. Is it the size you want? Is it in the right location for you? Is the student life what you’re looking for? Make sure you’ll enjoy your life outside of the classroom, too.
Final thoughts about the best business schools
I hope you’re excited to research these amazing universities. I recommend visiting each school you’re considering to find answers to your questions and get a feel for each campus. I know you’ll be able to find the best business college for you!
So, what do you think? Which colleges from this list catch your eye? Please share in the comments below!
