Top Business Schools

DeVry University

Kaplan University

University of Phoenix

Choosing Business Administration Schools

When choosing a school for business administration, you should consider a number of factors.

Accreditation

Attending an accredited school is important, as accreditation shows that the program meets a pre-established set of standards. Accreditation is also key if you think you may want to transfer to a different school. Schools with regional accreditation will usually accept your transfer credits if you attended a regionally accredited school. Nationally accredited schools (including many onlne programs) will also accept credits earned at a regionally accredited school. Regional schools, however, will often not accept credits earned at a nationally accredited school.

Accreditation may also make financial aid more accessible.

Programmatic accreditation can be carried by schools who already hold regional or national accreditation. Programmatic accreditation means the business program has been evaluated for its teaching methodologies and adherence to standards of business education. One of the largest accreditation bodies of business programs is the international Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Request more information from the schools in which you're interested to discover what kinds of accreditation they carry.

Ranking

Another important factor students might consider is a school’s ranking, especially for an MBA program. Earning a top ten ranking from a well-known source, such as US News and World Report, helps to make schools extremely sought-after and also very competitive. But just because a school has earned high marks from well-known publications does not necessarily mean it will be the right fit for you or your interest. The same school that is number one for finance may not be number one for supply chain management.

Location

Business administration programs are found virtually everywhere in all sorts of degree programs. Students can earn anything from a diploma or certificate to a doctoral degree worldwide, and many business programs are now offered entirely online. Some students, however, might wish to study in a city known for specific specialties that interest them. For example, a finance student who wants to be close to the action and seize the best internship and job opportunities might consider studying in New York City or Charlotte, NC, two of the nation’s financial capitals.

Curricula and Careers

Students should also look at a school’s opportunities for specialization within a program and how strong those courses are. Common business administration specializations include accounting, human resources, and marketing.

Finally, students should seek out schools with strong internship and job placement programs. Internships are key to helping you stand out in the marketplace after graduation, and can provide an initial network. And a good career services department can make a world of difference when you are looking for that first job.