Choosing the right college for a business degree can set you up for a successful career in finance, marketing, management, or entrepreneurship. Here’s a list of the 40 best colleges for business in 2024. Best Colleges for Business listing includes details like GPA requirements, median SAT and ACT scores, acceptance rates, and admission requirements. We also cover professional outcomes and academic highlights for each college.
40 Best College for Business
1. University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)
- GPA: 3.9
- Median SAT: 1500-1570
- Median ACT: 34-36
- Acceptance Rate: 8%
- Requirements: High academic achievement, leadership experience, and strong extracurricular involvement.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top consulting firms, investment banks, and major corporations.
- Academic Highlights: Wharton is known for its rigorous curriculum, global opportunities, and strong alumni network.
2. Stanford University
- GPA: 3.96
- Median SAT: 1440-1570
- Median ACT: 32-35
- Acceptance Rate: 4%
- Requirements: Exceptional academic performance, leadership qualities, and involvement in extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates excel in tech startups, venture capital, and top-tier business roles.
- Academic Highlights: Stanford offers a collaborative environment, access to Silicon Valley, and innovative programs.
3. Harvard University
- GPA: 4.1
- Median SAT: 1460-1570
- Median ACT: 33-35
- Acceptance Rate: 5%
- Requirements: Outstanding academic record, leadership experience, and a compelling personal statement.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates hold leadership positions in finance, consulting, and global corporations.
- Academic Highlights: Harvard provides access to a vast network, exceptional faculty, and diverse business resources.
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)
- GPA: 4.13
- Median SAT: 1510-1570
- Median ACT: 34-36
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Requirements: Strong math and science background, exceptional problem-solving skills, and passion for innovation.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech companies, financial services, and entrepreneurial ventures.
- Academic Highlights: MIT Sloan emphasizes innovation, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary learning.
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5. University of California, Berkeley (Haas)
- GPA: 3.89
- Median SAT: 1330-1530
- Median ACT: 29-35
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Requirements: High academic achievement, involvement in business-related activities, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates find careers in finance, consulting, and technology.
- Academic Highlights: Haas offers a strong focus on leadership, innovation, and global business.
6. University of Chicago (Booth)
- GPA: 3.92
- Median SAT: 1500-1560
- Median ACT: 34-35
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Requirements: Strong academic record, leadership experience, and a compelling personal statement.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates excel in finance, consulting, and academia.
- Academic Highlights: Booth is known for its analytical rigor, flexible curriculum, and strong faculty.
7. Northwestern University (Kellogg)
- GPA: 3.9
- Median SAT: 1450-1560
- Median ACT: 33-35
- Acceptance Rate: 9%
- Requirements: High academic achievement, leadership experience, and well-rounded extracurricular involvement.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates pursue careers in marketing, consulting, and leadership roles.
- Academic Highlights: Kellogg offers a collaborative culture, global opportunities, and strong emphasis on teamwork.
8. Columbia University
- GPA: 3.91
- Median SAT: 1470-1570
- Median ACT: 33-35
- Acceptance Rate: 6%
- Requirements: Strong academic record, leadership experience, and a compelling personal statement.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in finance, consulting, and media.
- Academic Highlights: Columbia provides access to New York City’s business hubs, a diverse curriculum, and extensive networking opportunities.
9. New York University (Stern)
- GPA: 3.8
- Median SAT: 1350-1530
- Median ACT: 30-34
- Acceptance Rate: 16%
- Requirements: High academic achievement, leadership experience, and involvement in business-related activities.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates find careers in finance, entertainment, and entrepreneurship.
- Academic Highlights: Stern offers strong industry connections, access to NYC’s business scene, and a global perspective.
10. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Ross)
- GPA: 3.9
- Median SAT: 1340-1530
- Median ACT: 30-34
- Acceptance Rate: 20%
- Requirements: High academic achievement, leadership experience, and involvement in extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates pursue careers in finance, consulting, and corporate leadership.
- Academic Highlights: Ross offers a strong focus on action-based learning, leadership development, and global experiences.
11. University of Virginia (Darden)
- GPA: 4.2
- Median SAT: 1340-1500
- Median ACT: 30-34
- Acceptance Rate: 24%
- Requirements: Strong academic performance, leadership experience, and involvement in extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in finance, consulting, and corporate leadership.
- Academic Highlights: Darden emphasizes experiential learning, leadership development, and strong alumni network.
12. Dartmouth College (Tuck)
- GPA: 3.87
- Median SAT: 1450-1560
- Median ACT: 33-35
- Acceptance Rate: 9%
- Requirements: High academic achievement, leadership experience, and a compelling personal statement.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates excel in consulting, finance, and corporate leadership.
- Academic Highlights: Tuck offers a close-knit community, personalized attention, and strong focus on leadership.
13. Duke University (Fuqua)
- GPA: 3.9
- Median SAT: 1450-1560
- Median ACT: 33-35
- Acceptance Rate: 8%
- Requirements: High academic achievement, leadership experience, and a compelling personal statement.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in consulting, finance, and corporate leadership.
- Academic Highlights: Fuqua emphasizes team-based learning, global experiences, and strong alumni network.
14. Cornell University (Johnson)
- GPA: 3.8
- Median SAT: 1430-1540
- Median ACT: 32-34
- Acceptance Rate: 10%
- Requirements: High academic achievement, leadership experience, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates find careers in finance, consulting, and entrepreneurship.
- Academic Highlights: Johnson offers a collaborative environment, diverse curriculum, and strong focus on leadership.
15. University of Texas at Austin (McCombs)
- GPA: 3.84
- Median SAT: 1230-1480
- Median ACT: 27-33
- Acceptance Rate: 32%
- Requirements: Strong academic performance, involvement in business-related activities, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in finance, consulting, and technology.
- Academic Highlights: McCombs offers extensive research opportunities, a diverse student body, and renowned faculty.
16. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler)
- GPA: 4.0
- Median SAT: 1300-1480
- Median ACT: 28-33
- Acceptance Rate: 23%
- Requirements: High academic achievement, leadership experience, and involvement in extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates pursue careers in finance, consulting, and corporate leadership.
- Academic Highlights: Kenan-Flagler offers a strong focus on leadership, innovation, and global business.
17. Indiana University (Kelley)
- GPA: 3.8
- Median SAT: 1200-1400
- Median ACT: 27-32
- Acceptance Rate: 37%
- Requirements: High academic achievement, leadership experience, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates find careers in finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
- Academic Highlights: Kelley offers a collaborative learning environment, strong industry connections, and a focus on leadership.
18. Georgetown University (McDonough)
- GPA: 3.9
- Median SAT: 1350-1530
- Median ACT: 30-34
- Acceptance Rate: 14%
- Requirements: High academic achievement, leadership experience, and involvement in business-related activities.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in finance, consulting, and government.
- Academic Highlights: McDonough offers strong industry connections, access to Washington D.C., and a global perspective.
19. University of Southern California (Marshall)
- GPA: 3.8
- Median SAT: 1350-1530
- Median ACT: 30-34
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Requirements: Strong academic performance, involvement in business-related activities, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates find careers in finance, entertainment, and entrepreneurship.
- Academic Highlights: Marshall offers strong industry connections, access to Los Angeles, and a focus on innovation.
Best College for Business
20. University of Wisconsin-Madison
- GPA: 3.8
- Median SAT: 1300-1480
- Median ACT: 28-32
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Requirements: Strong academic record, involvement in business-related activities, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates find careers in finance, marketing, and management.
- Academic Highlights: UW-Madison offers a vibrant campus life, access to top research facilities, and distinguished faculty.
21. University of Notre Dame (Mendoza)
- GPA: 3.9
- Median SAT: 1400-1550
- Median ACT: 32-34
- Acceptance Rate: 18%
- Requirements: High academic achievement, leadership experience, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates find careers in finance, consulting, and corporate leadership.
- Academic Highlights: Mendoza emphasizes ethical leadership, global experiences, and strong alumni network.
22. Emory University (Goizueta)
- GPA: 3.85
- Median SAT: 1390-1530
- Median ACT: 31-34
- Acceptance Rate: 19%
- Requirements: High academic achievement, leadership experience, and a compelling personal statement.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in finance, consulting, and healthcare management.
- Academic Highlights: Goizueta offers a collaborative environment, strong industry connections, and a focus on leadership.
23. University of Minnesota (Carlson)
- GPA: 3.8
- Median SAT: 1260-1460
- Median ACT: 27-32
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Requirements: Strong academic performance, involvement in business-related activities, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates find careers in finance, marketing, and management.
- Academic Highlights: Carlson offers extensive research opportunities, a diverse student body, and renowned faculty.
24. Ohio State University (Fisher)
- GPA: 3.8
- Median SAT: 1250-1440
- Median ACT: 28-32
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Requirements: Strong academic record, involvement in business-related activities, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates pursue careers in finance, marketing, and management.
- Academic Highlights: Fisher offers a collaborative learning environment, strong industry connections, and a focus on leadership.
25. University of Washington (Foster)
- GPA: 3.8
- Median SAT: 1220-1460
- Median ACT: 28-32
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Requirements: High academic performance, involvement in business-related activities, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates find careers in finance, consulting, and technology.
- Academic Highlights: Foster offers strong industry connections, access to Seattle’s business scene, and a global perspective.
26. Texas A&M University (Mays)
- GPA: 3.85
- Median SAT: 1180-1380
- Median ACT: 26-31
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Requirements: High academic achievement, leadership experience, and involvement in business-related activities.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in finance, consulting, and corporate leadership.
- Academic Highlights: Mays offers a collaborative environment, strong industry connections, and a focus on leadership.
27. Boston College (Carroll)
- GPA: 3.85
- Median SAT: 1350-1500
- Median ACT: 31-34
- Acceptance Rate: 26%
- Requirements: High academic achievement, leadership experience, and a compelling personal statement.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in finance, consulting, and healthcare management.
- Academic Highlights: Carroll offers a collaborative environment, strong industry connections, and a focus on leadership.
28. University of Miami (Herbert)
- GPA: 3.8
- Median SAT: 1260-1440
- Median ACT: 28-32
- Acceptance Rate: 33%
- Requirements: Strong academic record, involvement in business-related activities, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates pursue careers in finance, marketing, and management
, and entrepreneurship.
- Academic Highlights: Herbert offers a vibrant campus life, strong industry connections, and access to Miami’s dynamic business scene.
29. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Gies)
- GPA: 3.8
- Median SAT: 1300-1480
- Median ACT: 27-32
- Acceptance Rate: 59%
- Requirements: High academic performance, involvement in business-related activities, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates find careers in finance, consulting, and technology.
- Academic Highlights: Gies provides a collaborative learning environment, extensive research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
30. University of Georgia (Terry)
- GPA: 3.9
- Median SAT: 1270-1460
- Median ACT: 28-32
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Requirements: Strong academic performance, leadership experience, and involvement in business-related activities.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in finance, consulting, and marketing.
- Academic Highlights: Terry offers a diverse curriculum, strong industry connections, and a focus on leadership development.
31. Southern Methodist University (Cox)
- GPA: 3.8
- Median SAT: 1300-1460
- Median ACT: 28-32
- Acceptance Rate: 47%
- Requirements: High academic performance, leadership experience, and involvement in extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates find careers in finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
- Academic Highlights: Cox offers a collaborative environment, access to Dallas’s business community, and a strong focus on leadership.
32. University of Maryland, College Park (Smith)
- GPA: 3.8
- Median SAT: 1290-1470
- Median ACT: 27-32
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Requirements: Strong academic performance, involvement in business-related activities, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in finance, consulting, and government.
- Academic Highlights: Smith provides a collaborative learning environment, access to Washington D.C., and strong industry connections.
33. Brigham Young University (Marriott)
- GPA: 3.9
- Median SAT: 1320-1480
- Median ACT: 28-32
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Requirements: High academic performance, leadership experience, and involvement in business-related activities.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates find careers in finance, consulting, and technology.
- Academic Highlights: Marriott offers a strong focus on ethical leadership, collaboration, and global business.
34. Pennsylvania State University (Smeal)
- GPA: 3.8
- Median SAT: 1150-1360
- Median ACT: 25-30
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Requirements: Strong academic record, involvement in business-related activities, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in finance, marketing, and management.
- Academic Highlights: Smeal offers a collaborative learning environment, strong industry connections, and a focus on leadership development.
35. University of Arizona (Eller)
- GPA: 3.7
- Median SAT: 1130-1350
- Median ACT: 22-29
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Requirements: High academic performance, involvement in business-related activities, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates find careers in finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
- Academic Highlights: Eller provides a diverse curriculum, access to extensive research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
36. Michigan State University (Broad)
- GPA: 3.6
- Median SAT: 1100-1300
- Median ACT: 23-29
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Requirements: Strong academic record, involvement in business-related activities, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in finance, marketing, and management.
- Academic Highlights: Broad offers a collaborative learning environment, strong industry connections, and a focus on leadership development.
37. University of Colorado Boulder (Leeds)
- GPA: 3.6
- Median SAT: 1180-1350
- Median ACT: 26-31
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Requirements: High academic performance, involvement in business-related activities, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates find careers in finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
- Academic Highlights: Leeds provides a collaborative learning environment, access to extensive research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
38. University of Iowa (Tippie)
- GPA: 3.6
- Median SAT: 1130-1330
- Median ACT: 23-29
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Requirements: Strong academic record, involvement in business-related activities, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in finance, marketing, and management.
- Academic Highlights: Tippie offers a collaborative learning environment, strong industry connections, and a focus on leadership development.
39. Rutgers University (Rutgers Business School)
- GPA: 3.7
- Median SAT: 1200-1420
- Median ACT: 26-32
- Acceptance Rate: 60%
- Requirements: High academic performance, involvement in business-related activities, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates find careers in finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
- Academic Highlights: Rutgers Business School provides a diverse curriculum, strong industry connections, and access to extensive research opportunities.
40. Florida State University (College of Business)
- GPA: 3.8
- Median SAT: 1210-1340
- Median ACT: 26-30
- Acceptance Rate: 32%
- Requirements: High academic performance, involvement in business-related activities, and strong recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in finance, marketing, and management.
- Academic Highlights: FSU’s College of Business offers a collaborative learning environment, strong industry connections, and a focus on leadership development.
Top Business Schools in US – Conclusion
Choosing the right college for business can set the stage for a successful career in various industries such as finance, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship. The colleges listed here offer strong academic programs, extensive research opportunities, and excellent professional outcomes. Each school has its own unique strengths, whether it’s a focus on leadership, access to industry connections, or a collaborative learning environment. As you consider your options, think about what aspects are most important to you in your educational journey and career goals. Good luck in making your choice and pursuing a business degree!