Undergrad Rankings

Compare undergraduate business programs

To identify the best undergraduate business programs, BusinessWeek used five unique measures, including a survey of more than 100,000 business majors at top schools and a poll of undergraduate recruiters. To better understand career outcomes, we also looked at starting salaries for graduates and how many each school sent to top MBA programs. Finally, an academic-quality score--a combination of five measures including SAT scores and faculty-student ratios--identified schools with the smartest, hardest-working, and best-served students.

The ranking is based on the "index number," which represents the sum of all five measures. We also calculated letter grades on teaching quality, facilities and services, and job placement based on the student survey. The top 20% in each category among all 61 top programs that we ranked earned A+s. The next 25% got As, the next 35% got Bs, and the bottom 20% got Cs.

School names are linked to individual program profiles for more in-depth coverage. You can also compare how students graded colleges

Click column heading once to reorder from highest to lowest. Click twice to reorder from lowest to highest.

BW 2006 Rank	School Name and Location (linked to profile)	School Type	Length	Annual Cost	Enrollment	Students Ranked	Med. Starting Salary	Academic Quality	Index	Faculty/Student Ratio	SAT Avg.	Teaching Quality	Facilities and Services	Job Placement
1	Pennsylvania (Wharton) Philadelphia	Private	4	$ 32,364	2378	6	$ 55,000	1	100	1:8.8	1448	A+	A	A+
Teaching quality, high-caliber classmates, and top recruiters draw raves. Environment is too competitive for some.
1	Pennsylvania (Wharton) Philadelphia	Private	4	$ 32,364	2378	6	$ 55,000	1	100	1:8.8	1448	A+	A	A+
Teaching quality, high-caliber classmates, and top recruiters draw raves. Environment is too competitive for some.
2	Virginia (McIntire) Charlottesville	Public	2	$ 7,235	660	2	$ 50,000	4	98	1:11.0	1350	A+	A+	A+
Workload is intense, but students love the real-world core curriculum. Biggest strengths: finance and accounting.
2	Virginia (McIntire) Charlottesville	Public	2	$ 7,235	660	2	$ 50,000	4	98	1:11.0	1350	A+	A+	A+
Workload is intense, but students love the real-world core curriculum. Biggest strengths: finance and accounting.
3	Notre Dame (Mendoza) South Bend, Ind.	Private	3	$ 31,540	1538	3	$ 47,500	11	97	1:14.0	1379	A+	A+	A+
Students praise the school's focus on ethics and say career- services office does a great job preparing students for business.
3	Notre Dame (Mendoza) South Bend, Ind.	Private	3	$ 31,540	1538	3	$ 47,500	11	97	1:14.0	1379	A+	A+	A+
Students praise the school's focus on ethics and say career- services office does a great job preparing students for business.
4	MIT (Sloan) Cambridge, Mass.	Private	3	$ 32,300	292	4	$ 55,000	18	92	1:13.0	1477	A+	A+	A+
Praise for high quality classmates and recruiting efforts pushes Sloan to No. 4.
4	MIT (Sloan) Cambridge, Mass.	Private	3	$ 32,300	292	4	$ 55,000	18	92	1:13.0	1477	A+	A+	A+
Praise for high quality classmates and recruiting efforts pushes Sloan to No. 4.
5	Emory (Goizueta) Atlanta	Private	2	$ 30,794	550	1	$ 50,000	10	89	1:11.0	1333	A+	A+	A+
Students rave about well-rounded education but feel that the school attracts few top recruiters outside of the Southeast.
5	Emory (Goizueta) Atlanta	Private	2	$ 30,794	550	1	$ 50,000	10	89	1:11.0	1333	A+	A+	A+
Students rave about well-rounded education but feel that the school attracts few top recruiters outside of the Southeast.
6	Michigan (Ross) Ann Arbor	Public	2	$ 10,524	728	31	$ 52,000	14	88	1:12.8	1332	B	C	A+
Students benefit from small cohorts and the focus on job placement, but some say services are lacking.
6	Michigan (Ross) Ann Arbor	Public	2	$ 10,524	728	31	$ 52,000	14	88	1:12.8	1332	B	C	A+
Students benefit from small cohorts and the focus on job placement, but some say services are lacking.
7	NYU (Stern) New York	Private	4	$ 32,540	2265	21	$ 52,000	6	85	1:11.5	1422	A	B	A+
NYC attracts recruiters and speakers, and international focus is a plus. But competitive classmates are a turn off.
7	NYU (Stern) New York	Private	4	$ 32,540	2265	21	$ 52,000	6	85	1:11.5	1422	A	B	A+
NYC attracts recruiters and speakers, and international focus is a plus. But competitive classmates are a turn off.
8	Brigham Young (Marriott) Provo, Utah	Private	3	$ 3,620	1792	7	$ 45,000	31	81	1:14.5	NA	A	A+	A
Stellar accounting program and ethics-based education wow many. But student body is 98% Mormon and may not be for everybody.
8	Brigham Young (Marriott) Provo, Utah	Private	3	$ 3,620	1792	7	$ 45,000	31	81	1:14.5	NA	A	A+	A
Stellar accounting program and ethics-based education wow many. But student body is 98% Mormon and may not be for everybody.
9	Texas (McCombs) Austin	Public	4	$ 7,438	3999	13	$ 47,000	30	81	1:29.2	1304	A	B	A+
Well-respected honors program receives high marks, but some feel that educational quality elsewhere is uneven.
9	Texas (McCombs) Austin	Public	4	$ 7,438	3999	13	$ 47,000	30	81	1:29.2	1304	A	B	A+
Well-respected honors program receives high marks, but some feel that educational quality elsewhere is uneven.
10	Indiana (Kelley) Bloomington	Public	4	$ 7,112	3671	8	$ 44,000	26	80	1:20.0	1189	A	A	A+
Facilities need upgrading, but real-world curriculum and helpful career-services office catapults school into top 10.
10	Indiana (Kelley) Bloomington	Public	4	$ 7,112	3671	8	$ 44,000	26	80	1:20.0	1189	A	A	A+
Facilities need upgrading, but real-world curriculum and helpful career-services office catapults school into top 10.
11	North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler) Chapel Hill	Public	2	$ 4,700	670	10	$ 45,000	7	79	1:6.8	1319	A	A	A
Resources and teaching get thumbs up at UNC, but out-of-the-way location hurts recruiting and diversity.
11	North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler) Chapel Hill	Public	2	$ 4,700	670	10	$ 45,000	7	79	1:6.8	1319	A	A	A
Resources and teaching get thumbs up at UNC, but out-of-the-way location hurts recruiting and diversity.
12	UC Berkeley (Haas) Berkeley, Calif.	Public	2	$ 7,434	700	19	$ 53,000	8	79	1:7.4	1341	A	A	A
Program is challenging and rewarding, but lacks the MBA program's diverse student body and premier career services.
12	UC Berkeley (Haas) Berkeley, Calif.	Public	2	$ 7,434	700	19	$ 53,000	8	79	1:7.4	1341	A	A	A
Program is challenging and rewarding, but lacks the MBA program's diverse student body and premier career services.
13	Georgetown (McDonough) Washington, D.C.	Private	4	$ 31,656	1271	33	$ 50,000	12	79	1:16.8	1370	A+	C	A
Teaching is first-rate and a new classroom facilitity is on the way. Some feel recruiting is too focused on financial firms.
13	Georgetown (McDonough) Washington, D.C.	Private	4	$ 31,656	1271	33	$ 50,000	12	79	1:16.8	1370	A+	C	A
Teaching is first-rate and a new classroom facilitity is on the way. Some feel recruiting is too focused on financial firms.
14	Cornell Ithaca, N.Y.	Private	4	$ 17,367	709	5	$ 45,000	32	79	1:16.9	NA	A+	A+	A
Ivy League benefits include top-notch education and plenty of resources--although some classes are overcrowded.
14	Cornell Ithaca, N.Y.	Private	4	$ 17,367	709	5	$ 45,000	32	79	1:16.9	NA	A+	A+	A
Ivy League benefits include top-notch education and plenty of resources--although some classes are overcrowded.
15	Washington U. (Olin) St. Louis	Private	4	$ 32,042	736	15	$ 50,000	16	77	1:11.0	1451	A	A+	B
Faculty is talented and helpful, but many students feel not enough top companies recruit on campus.
15	Washington U. (Olin) St. Louis	Private	4	$ 32,042	736	15	$ 50,000	16	77	1:11.0	1451	A	A+	B
Faculty is talented and helpful, but many students feel not enough top companies recruit on campus.
16	Carnegie Mellon Pittsburgh	Private	4	$ 31,650	495	58	$ 55,000	2	75	1:5.0	1381	B	C	C
Focus on quantitative skills sometimes comes at expense of soft skills, but the program is becoming more well-rounded.
16	Carnegie Mellon Pittsburgh	Private	4	$ 31,650	495	58	$ 55,000	2	75	1:5.0	1381	B	C	C
Focus on quantitative skills sometimes comes at expense of soft skills, but the program is becoming more well-rounded.
17	Miami U. (Farmer) Oxford, Ohio	Public	4	$ 9,636	3975	32	$ 40,000	21	73	1:17.0	1230	B	A	B
Classes can be too large, but students give high marks to the new honors program's high-caliber professors and classmates.
17	Miami U. (Farmer) Oxford, Ohio	Public	4	$ 9,636	3975	32	$ 40,000	21	73	1:17.0	1230	B	A	B
Classes can be too large, but students give high marks to the new honors program's high-caliber professors and classmates.
18	Lehigh Bethlehem, Pa.	Private	4	$ 31,180	1208	28	$ 50,000	13	71	1:20.1	1291	A	B	A
New financial-services lab and strong accounting program are impressive, but recruiting is too accounting-focused.
18	Lehigh Bethlehem, Pa.	Private	4	$ 31,180	1208	28	$ 50,000	13	71	1:20.1	1291	A	B	A
New financial-services lab and strong accounting program are impressive, but recruiting is too accounting-focused.
19	Villanova Villanova, Pa.	Private	4	$ 29,730	1798	18	$ 45,000	22	70	1:19.0	1273	A+	B	A
High marks go to committed professors and a curriculum rooted in the real world. But some say the student body lacks diversity.
19	Villanova Villanova, Pa.	Private	4	$ 29,730	1798	18	$ 45,000	22	70	1:19.0	1273	A+	B	A
High marks go to committed professors and a curriculum rooted in the real world. But some say the student body lacks diversity.
20	SMU (Cox) Dallas	Private	4	$ 26,880	939	9	$ 45,000	20	70	1:13.2	1339	A+	A+	A
Students praise the helpful career services center and small class sizes. Good mix of classmates is needed.
20	SMU (Cox) Dallas	Private	4	$ 26,880	939	9	$ 45,000	20	70	1:13.2	1339	A+	A+	A
Students praise the helpful career services center and small class sizes. Good mix of classmates is needed.
21	USC (Marshall) Los Angeles	Private	4	$ 32,008	3822	22	$ 50,000	42	69	1:18.7	1351	A	B	A+
Students value the international focus and strong alumni network at Marshall, but many feel the grading curve is unfair.
21	USC (Marshall) Los Angeles	Private	4	$ 32,008	3822	22	$ 50,000	42	69	1:18.7	1351	A	B	A+
Students value the international focus and strong alumni network at Marshall, but many feel the grading curve is unfair.
22	Illinois Urbana-Champaign	Public	4	$ 9,934	2916	37	$ 47,000	37	67	1:24.0	1300	C	B	A
A first-class accounting program and career services win praise, but overcrowded classes hurt teaching quality.
22	Illinois Urbana-Champaign	Public	4	$ 9,934	2916	37	$ 47,000	37	67	1:24.0	1300	C	B	A
A first-class accounting program and career services win praise, but overcrowded classes hurt teaching quality.
23	Boston College (Carroll) Boston	Private	4	$ 30,950	2000	29	$ 47,000	24	67	1:23.0	1314	A	A	A
A well-rounded education based on Jesuit values leaves many satisfied. Academic advising could use improvement.
23	Boston College (Carroll) Boston	Private	4	$ 30,950	2000	29	$ 47,000	24	67	1:23.0	1314	A	A	A
A well-rounded education based on Jesuit values leaves many satisfied. Academic advising could use improvement.
24	Wake Forest (Calloway) Winston-Salem, N.C.	Private	2	$ 32,140	383	39	$ NA	9	67	1:11.0	1302	A+	A	A
"They don't call it Work Forest for nothing," says one student of the challenging coursework and tough grading policy.
24	Wake Forest (Calloway) Winston-Salem, N.C.	Private	2	$ 32,140	383	39	$ NA	9	67	1:11.0	1302	A+	A	A
"They don't call it Work Forest for nothing," says one student of the challenging coursework and tough grading policy.
25	Richmond (Robins) Richmond, Va.	Private	2	$ 34,850	594	46	$ 47,500	3	66	1:11.0	1315	A+	B	B
Students heap praise on Richmond's hands-on teaching, but are disappointed with recruiting that's too regional.
25	Richmond (Robins) Richmond, Va.	Private	2	$ 34,850	594	46	$ 47,500	3	66	1:11.0	1315	A+	B	B
Students heap praise on Richmond's hands-on teaching, but are disappointed with recruiting that's too regional.
26	Minnesota (Carlson) Minneapolis	Public	4	$ 9,382	1621	24	$ 43,500	19	65	1:12.9	1283	B	B	A+
Students get outstanding career preparation, but say that the teaching is uneven and some courses are too easy.
26	Minnesota (Carlson) Minneapolis	Public	4	$ 9,382	1621	24	$ 43,500	19	65	1:12.9	1283	B	B	A+
Students get outstanding career preparation, but say that the teaching is uneven and some courses are too easy.
27	Wisconsin Madison	Public	2	$ 6,220	1213	16	$ 43,500	25	64	1:15.8	1260	B	A	A
Students praise the business career center and the "work hard, play hard" mentality of being a business major at UW.
27	Wisconsin Madison	Public	2	$ 6,220	1213	16	$ 43,500	25	64	1:15.8	1260	B	A	A
Students praise the business career center and the "work hard, play hard" mentality of being a business major at UW.
28	Babson Babson Park, Mass.	Private	4	$ 30,496	1725	48	$ 45,000	5	63	1:11.4	1263	A+	B	B
Babson profs receive high marks, but intense business orientation leaves little room for anything else.
28	Babson Babson Park, Mass.	Private	4	$ 30,496	1725	48	$ 45,000	5	63	1:11.4	1263	A+	B	B
Babson profs receive high marks, but intense business orientation leaves little room for anything else.
29	Michigan State (Broad) East Lansing	Public	2	$ 9,218	2341	25	$ 43,000	48	63	1:22.0	NA	B	B	A
Students give high marks to supply chain management program and Lear Career Services Center, but feel the teaching could use work.
29	Michigan State (Broad) East Lansing	Public	2	$ 9,218	2341	25	$ 43,000	48	63	1:22.0	NA	B	B	A
Students give high marks to supply chain management program and Lear Career Services Center, but feel the teaching could use work.
30	Boston U. Boston	Private	4	$ 31,966	1806	51	$ 45,000	15	62	1:18.0	1283	B	B	C
Students praise the program's team-based approach. But many say tough grading policies are a problem.
30	Boston U. Boston	Private	4	$ 31,966	1806	51	$ 45,000	15	62	1:18.0	1283	B	B	C
Students praise the program's team-based approach. But many say tough grading policies are a problem.
31	Bentley Waltham, Mass.	Private	4	$ 28,614	3761	42	$ 42,500	17	62	1:12.0	1220	A	B	B
Small classes are a plus, but for some the recruiting is too focused on accounting and finance.
31	Bentley Waltham, Mass.	Private	4	$ 28,614	3761	42	$ 42,500	17	62	1:12.0	1220	A	B	B
Small classes are a plus, but for some the recruiting is too focused on accounting and finance.
32	Penn State (Smeal) University Park, Pa.	Public	4	$ 13,110	4797	23	$ 41,400	51	61	1:43.0	1197	B	A	A
Core courses can be overcrowded. But first-class trading floor and $4.7 million student-run investment fund are tops.
32	Penn State (Smeal) University Park, Pa.	Public	4	$ 13,110	4797	23	$ 41,400	51	61	1:43.0	1197	B	A	A
Core courses can be overcrowded. But first-class trading floor and $4.7 million student-run investment fund are tops.
33	Texas Christian (Neeley) Ft. Worth	Private	4	$ 26,140	1520	20	$ 48,148	34	60	1:17.8	1162	A	A	B
Professors receive high marks for being accessible and dedicated, but student body may lack diversity.
33	Texas Christian (Neeley) Ft. Worth	Private	4	$ 26,140	1520	20	$ 48,148	34	60	1:17.8	1162	A	A	B
Professors receive high marks for being accessible and dedicated, but student body may lack diversity.
34	Texas A & M (Mays) College Station	Public	4	$ 6,234	3831	12	$ 40,000	50	60	1:28.2	1218	B	A+	A
Students enjoy the many extracurricular activities and clubs that the school offers. But academic advisers are in short supply.
34	Texas A & M (Mays) College Station	Public	4	$ 6,234	3831	12	$ 40,000	50	60	1:28.2	1218	B	A+	A
Students enjoy the many extracurricular activities and clubs that the school offers. But academic advisers are in short supply.
35	James Madison Harrisonburg, Va.	Public	4	$ 6,081	3464	14	$ 42,100	45	60	1:29.0	1167	A	A+	B
Students enjoy program offered in the junior year that requires them to develop a business plan.
35	James Madison Harrisonburg, Va.	Public	4	$ 6,081	3464	14	$ 42,100	45	60	1:29.0	1167	A	A+	B
Students enjoy program offered in the junior year that requires them to develop a business plan.
36	Maryland (Smith) College Park	Public	4	$ 7,821	2703	30	$ 46,000	39	60	1:21.0	1360	B	A	B
Upper-level courses are far superior to lower-level courses, which include too many "straight-from-the-book" lectures.
36	Maryland (Smith) College Park	Public	4	$ 7,821	2703	30	$ 46,000	39	60	1:21.0	1360	B	A	B
Upper-level courses are far superior to lower-level courses, which include too many "straight-from-the-book" lectures.
37	Northeastern Boston	Private	4	$ 28,800	3121	27	$ 45,000	29	59	1:25.0	1225	B	A	A+
Students are required to participate in as many as three six-month-long co-ops, or work projects, during the program; many find them valuable.
37	Northeastern Boston	Private	4	$ 28,800	3121	27	$ 45,000	29	59	1:25.0	1225	B	A	A+
Students are required to participate in as many as three six-month-long co-ops, or work projects, during the program; many find them valuable.
38	Baylor (Hankamer) Waco, Texas	Private	4	$ 27,943	2508	17	$ 41,303	35	59	1:19.3	1169	A	A+	B
Students praise a unique major that guarantees an internship with a professional sports team after completing the program.
38	Baylor (Hankamer) Waco, Texas	Private	4	$ 27,943	2508	17	$ 41,303	35	59	1:19.3	1169	A	A+	B
Students praise a unique major that guarantees an internship with a professional sports team after completing the program.
39	Iowa (Tippie) Iowa City	Public	4	$ 5,855	1435	44	$ 37,500	43	59	1:14.0	1176	C	B	C
Teaching quality varies greatly, but entrepreneurship program and new career center win praise.
39	Iowa (Tippie) Iowa City	Public	4	$ 5,855	1435	44	$ 37,500	43	59	1:14.0	1176	C	B	C
Teaching quality varies greatly, but entrepreneurship program and new career center win praise.
40	Georgia (Terry) Athens	Public	2	$ 16,848	2082	11	$ 40,000	49	59	1:19.0	1212	B	A+	B
Some programs, such as accounting and risk management, receive high marks, but other students get lost in the shuffle.
40	Georgia (Terry) Athens	Public	2	$ 16,848	2082	11	$ 40,000	49	59	1:19.0	1212	B	A+	B
Some programs, such as accounting and risk management, receive high marks, but other students get lost in the shuffle.
41	George Washington Washington, D.C.	Private	4	$ 36,387	1456	55	$ 42,750	23	54	1:24.0	1260	C	B	C
Some consider program "extremely overpriced," but being in the nation's capital adds value.
41	George Washington Washington, D.C.	Private	4	$ 36,387	1456	55	$ 42,750	23	54	1:24.0	1260	C	B	C
Some consider program "extremely overpriced," but being in the nation's capital adds value.
42	Syracuse (Whitman) Syracuse, N.Y.	Private	4	$ 28,970	1510	50	$ 46,185	28	54	1:24.0	1191	B	C	C
Recruiters for financial services companies are few and far between, but profs are helpful with networking.
42	Syracuse (Whitman) Syracuse, N.Y.	Private	4	$ 28,970	1510	50	$ 46,185	28	54	1:24.0	1191	B	C	C
Recruiters for financial services companies are few and far between, but profs are helpful with networking.
43	Ohio State (Fisher) Columbus	Public	4	$ 8,718	2890	35	$ 42,000	54	54	1:28.0	1185	C	A	B
Honors accounting program is praised, but profs should spend more time teaching and less time on research.
43	Ohio State (Fisher) Columbus	Public	4	$ 8,718	2890	35	$ 42,000	54	54	1:28.0	1185	C	A	B
Honors accounting program is praised, but profs should spend more time teaching and less time on research.
44	U. of Miami Miami, Fla.	Private	4	$ 21,587	1984	26	$ 42,000	46	52	1:30.0	1246	B	B	B
Mentoring program that pairs business majors with local executives wows students, but teaching quality varies.
44	U. of Miami Miami, Fla.	Private	4	$ 21,587	1984	26	$ 42,000	46	52	1:30.0	1246	B	B	B
Mentoring program that pairs business majors with local executives wows students, but teaching quality varies.
45	Purdue (Krannert) W. Lafayette, Ind.	Public	4	$ 8,032	2508	43	$ 40,841	44	51	1:23.4	1159	C	B	B
Teaching assistants are poor substitutes for real profs, but students leave management program well-prepared for the job hunt.
45	Purdue (Krannert) W. Lafayette, Ind.	Public	4	$ 8,032	2508	43	$ 40,841	44	51	1:23.4	1159	C	B	B
Teaching assistants are poor substitutes for real profs, but students leave management program well-prepared for the job hunt.
46	Marquette Milwaukee, Wisc.	Private	4	$ 25,074	1487	45	$ 42,000	38	50	1:24.4	1199	A	B	B
Students enjoy the downtown Milwaukee locale but wish more high-caliber companies would recruit for internships.
46	Marquette Milwaukee, Wisc.	Private	4	$ 25,074	1487	45	$ 42,000	38	50	1:24.4	1199	A	B	B
Students enjoy the downtown Milwaukee locale but wish more high-caliber companies would recruit for internships.
47	Florida (Warrington) Gainesville	Public	4	$ 3,180	4765	38	$ 40,000	56	49	1:54.0	1300	B	B	B
Online classes are convenient, but some say theyÕre too impersonal and detract from the overall learning experience.
47	Florida (Warrington) Gainesville	Public	4	$ 3,180	4765	38	$ 40,000	56	49	1:54.0	1300	B	B	B
Online classes are convenient, but some say theyÕre too impersonal and detract from the overall learning experience.
48	Fordham New York	Private	4	$ 28,335	1784	57	$ 52,500	36	48	1:22.7	1190	B	C	B
Core courses in first two years not challenging enough, but students like career opportunities in NYC area.
48	Fordham New York	Private	4	$ 28,335	1784	57	$ 52,500	36	48	1:22.7	1190	B	C	B
Core courses in first two years not challenging enough, but students like career opportunities in NYC area.
49	Denver (Daniels) Denver	Private	4	$ 28,410	1828	34	$ 35,000	40	47	1:22.0	1150	B	A	C
Talented profs and the hospitality program's study-abroad requirement win praise. Many view classmates as immature.
49	Denver (Daniels) Denver	Private	4	$ 28,410	1828	34	$ 35,000	40	47	1:22.0	1150	B	A	C
Talented profs and the hospitality program's study-abroad requirement win praise. Many view classmates as immature.
50	Pittsburgh Pittsburgh	Public	4	$ 12,692	1652	54	$ 40,000	41	46	1:31.0	1231	B	C	C
Tough grading standards attract more qualified applicants than a few years ago, but career services could use improvement.
50	Pittsburgh Pittsburgh	Public	4	$ 12,692	1652	54	$ 40,000	41	46	1:31.0	1231	B	C	C
Tough grading standards attract more qualified applicants than a few years ago, but career services could use improvement.