Choosing the Best Undergraduate Business Schools

Undergraduate Business School Search and Requirements

To start your research, you can examine the best undergraduate business schools, overall, but you can also look at what are the top schools in a specific area of business. Choose what type of business program you are most passionate about and consider which schools offer it. Then, check their admissions requirements to determine which program is a good fit for you. 

Application Requirements & Review Process

Most schools use a holistic review process. Your application is typically comprised of several components that are reviewed alongside each other. This means that while your grade point average is important, it is not the only factor that will help you get selected. Schools pay attention to your college essays and experiences. Be sure to write about your passion and detail the reasons behind your motivation to attend an undergraduate business program. Take the time to write essays that draw the reader into them. Pay attention to the opening sentence, as this sentence should capture the reader’s attention. Use your personal experiences as supports for your statements. Be creative and let your personality shine through in your words. Other factors that influence your acceptance chances are your standardized test scores, coursework, reference letters, and extracurricular activities. 

Your letters of reference must be strong, written by individuals who know you well. These letters must be unbiased, therefore, avoid asking family or friends to write them. The best way to get accepted to an undergraduate business program is to plan ahead. Plan your courses, plan when you will take your standardized exams, plan when you will apply, and plan your contributions to extracurricular activities. If you are early in your academic career, start to write down all the activities, achievements, courses, sports, and other pursuits that you are involved in or have accomplished. Keep everything in a central location like a notebook or a spreadsheet so that when the time comes to apply, you have all the information all ready.

Undergraduate Business Programs by Subject

Not sure what to look for in an undergraduate business program? Several undergraduate business majors are listed below with a description, coursework, career outlook, and information on the top schools. These features can help you to determine which specific field you want to study and where to attend.

Accounting

Accounting is the act of analyzing, summarizing, and reporting financial transactions that pertain to a business. Undergraduate coursework in Accounting will include courses such as Auditing, Business Law, Managerial and Financial Accounting, and Management. Accounting majors can look forward to careers as an Accountant, an Auditor, a Tax Examiner or Tax Collector. An Accountant or Auditor will prepare and examine financial records, whereas the Tax Examiner or Collector will determine how much taxes are owed. The median salary of an Accountant or Auditor is around $71,550 per year. The median salary of a Tax Examiner or Collector is around $54,890 per year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a 4 percent growth in jobs in these fields in the coming years.

Now let’s go over the top 3 undergraduate business programs for Accounting: 

Business Management/Administration

Business Management/Administration comprises a variety of business disciplines that focus on how businesses function. Undergraduate coursework in Business Management/Administration includes classes in Business Communication, Principles of Accounting, Business Law, Management Theory and Practice, Ethics, Marketing, Economics, Finance, and Management Information Systems. Careers with this type of degree include Business Analyst, Sales Managers, and Executives. Business Analysts recommend ways to improve the efficiency of an organization. The median salary for a Business Analyst is around $85,260 per year and the field is expected to have an 11 percent growth in the coming decade. Sales Managers direct the sales teams of an organization and their median salary is approximately $126,640 per year. This field is expected to grow by 4 percent in the next decade. Executives plan strategies and policies to ensure that an organization accomplishes their set goals. The median salary for an executive in is $100,780 and this field is expected to grow 4 percent in the next ten years.

The top 2 schools for an undergraduate program from Business Management/Administration are as follows:

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship entails being responsible for the starting, planning, and running of a business using the resources available. Entrepreneurs handle all the risks and rewards of business ownership. Common coursework in Entrepreneurship for undergraduates include The Entrepreneurial Mindset, Low-Risk Startups, Finance, Social Entrepreneurship, and Entrepreneurial Consulting. Entrepreneurs are chief executives of their business. The median salary for a chief executive is around $184,460. This field is expected to grow by 4 percent in the next ten years.

The top 3 schools for and undergraduate degree in Entrepreneurship are as follows:

Finance

Finance involves matters regarding the creation, management, and study of money and investments. Undergraduate coursework in Finance includes classes in Principles of Business, Personal Finance Concepts, Statistics, Legal and Ethical Environment of Business, and Business Strategy. Studying Finance could lead to a career as a Financial Analyst, Financial Advisor, or a Financial Manager. A Financial Analyst provides guidance to a business and to individuals making decisions about investments. The median salary for a Financial Analyst is $81,590 and this field is expected to grow 5 percent in the next ten years. A Financial Advisor provides advice to individuals in managing their finances and planning their financial future. The median salary for a Financial Advisor is $87,850. This field is expected to grow by 4 percent in the next decade. Financial Managers create financial reports, direct investments, and develop long term financial goals of companies and organizations. The median salary for a Financial Manager is around $129,890 and this field is expected to grow by 15 percent in the next ten years.

The top 2 schools for an undergraduate degree in Finance are as follows:

International Business

International Business entails the activity of trading goods and services among different countries. Undergraduate coursework in International Business includes classes in International Trade Policies and Practices, Economics, International Business, International Banking and Finance, and International Strategic Management. Careers in International Business include International Financial Manager and International Marketing Manager. The median salaries for such careers are $147,530 and $149,200, respectively.

The top 3 schools for an undergraduate business degree in International Business are:

Management Information Systems

Management Information Systems refers to the infrastructures used by a business that support management and assist in making strategic decisions. Management Information Systems is at the intersection of business and technology. Undergraduate courses in Management Information Systems include Data Analytics, Enterprise IT Architecture, Social and Ethical Technology Issues, and Business Communications. Career in Management Information Systems include Managers who plan, coordinate, and direct the computer-related activities in an organization. The median salary for these Managers is around $146,360 per year and this field is expected to grow by 10 percent in the next decade.

The top 3 schools for an undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems are:

Marketing

Marketing is the study of branding and promotion of products and services and targeting specific demographics. Courses in undergraduate business programs in Marketing include Managerial Communications, Economics, Principles of Marketing, Principles of Finance, Marketing Research, and Consumer Behavior. Careers such as Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers plan programs to create interest in products and services. The median salary in this field is around $135,900 per year and growth of 6 percent is expected in the next ten years.

The top undergraduate schools in Marketing are as follows:

Production/Operations Management

Production/Operations Management is the administration of business practices to maintain the highest level of efficiency in a business. It is concerned with the conversion of goods and labor into goods and services in order to maximize profits. Undergraduate coursework in Production/Operations Management include classes such as Information Systems, Economics, Human Resources Management, Finance, Accounting, and Project Management. Production/Operations Managers plan strategies and policies that meet business goals. This can consist of deciding the layout of facilities, creating policies and procedures, controlling inventory and distribution, and scheduling. Currently, the median salary for this field is $100,780 and the expected growth is 4 percent over the next ten years.

The top 2 undergraduate business schools for Production/Operations Management are:

Real Estate

Real Estate involves buying, selling, financing, and maintaining properties of all types. Courses for an undergraduate student in Real Estate include Business Administration, Marketing, Real Estate Law, Ethics and Environmental Issues, and Land-Use Planning. Common careers in Real Estate are Brokers/Sales Agents and Appraisers/Assessors. Brokers and Sales Agents help clients to buy, sell, and rent properties. The median salary for this field is $50,730. This career is expected to grow by 2 percent over the next decade. Appraisers and Assessors provide an estimate of value on land and properties. The median salary is $57,010 and this field is expected to grow by 3 percent by the end of this decade.

The top schools in Real Estate are as follows:

Supply Chain Management/Logistics

Supply Chain Management/Logistics is the management of the flow of goods and services, which includes all processes that begins with the raw materials and ends with the final products. Coursework for undergraduates in Supply Chain Management/Logistics include Logistics Management, Supply Chain Management, Project Management, and Simulation, Modeling, and Optimization. A career as a Logistician involves analyzing and coordinating the supply chain of a business. The median salary for this field is $74,750 and growth is expected to be 4 percent in the next decade.

In Supply Chain Management/Logistics, these are the top undergraduate schools:

An undergraduate degree in business can put you at in a great future position and give you a competitive edge!

Hope this blog helps you to pursue an undergraduate degree in business!

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