Is a research university right for me?–

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students. Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you. If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel. Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well. Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom). Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Is an online college right for me?–

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whehter you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college. Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are aynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc. The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions. If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find, well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Business Degrees in 2023

By James Barham

Published: Nov 5, 2021
Updated: Sep 8, 2023

The best business liberal arts colleges are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best business degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding business faculty.

Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges Business Programs

United States Military Academy
San Francisco State University
Union College, New York
San Jose State University
University of Richmond
Denison University
Claremont McKenna College
Fairleigh Dickinson University
California State University, Long Beach
University of Portland

San Francisco State University 93%
Niagara University 92%
Suffolk University 88%
John Carroll University 88%
Fairleigh Dickinson University 85%
San Jose State University 84%
Saint Joseph's University 83%
University of Portland 81%
High Point University 80%
Bradley University 76%

San Jose State University 25 to 1
California State University, Long Beach 24 to 1
San Francisco State University 22 to 1
High Point University 17 to 1
Monroe College 16 to 1
Fairleigh Dickinson University 15 to 1
Suffolk University 14 to 1
Bradley University 14 to 1
John Carroll University 13 to 1
Albion College 12 to 1

Union College, New York $61,659
University of Richmond $58,570
Scripps College $58,442
Claremont McKenna College $58,111
Pitzer College $57,978
Denison University $57,500
Bentley University $54,910
Rollins College $54,740
Albion College $53,090
University of Portland $49,864

Claremont McKenna College $64,288
Scripps College $46,774
Bentley University $42,200
Suffolk University $39,450
High Point University $27,203
Rollins College $26,190
University of Richmond $25,620
University of Portland $23,868
Trinity University $23,597
Manhattan College $20,052

Monroe College
High Point University
Bentley University
Trinity University
John Carroll University
Niagara University
Saint Joseph's University
Scripps College
Albion College
Bradley University

Claremont McKenna College 11%
United States Military Academy 11%
Pitzer College 18%
Denison University 28%
University of Richmond 29%
Scripps College 30%
Trinity University 34%
Monroe College 39%
Union College, New York 47%
California State University, Long Beach 47%

United States Military Academy 7 to 1
Claremont McKenna College 8 to 1
University of Richmond 8 to 1
Denison University 9 to 1
Pitzer College 9 to 1
Trinity University 9 to 1
Union College, New York 9 to 1
Scripps College 9 to 1
Ohio Wesleyan University 10 to 1
Bentley University 11 to 1

California State University, Long Beach $5,742
San Francisco State University $5,742
San Jose State University $5,742
Monroe College $16,686
Fairleigh Dickinson University $33,114
Niagara University $35,980
Bradley University $36,360
High Point University $39,752
Suffolk University $41,648
John Carroll University $45,514

California State University, Long Beach $7,176
San Francisco State University $7,176
San Jose State University $7,176
Fairleigh Dickinson University $9,780
Niagara University $13,950
Monroe College $16,074
John Carroll University $16,082
Bradley University $17,100
Saint Joseph's University $18,144
Manhattan College $20,052

Key Takeaways

A private liberal arts institution is for someone who wants a premium study with a broad range of subjects.
Liberal arts colleges are vast and varied and offer several degrees, including business majors. Many companies are often excited to hire graduates from national liberal arts colleges rather than business schools due to the comprehensive education offered by liberal arts universities.
The best liberal arts colleges for business degrees often allow students to customize their business degrees by allowing them to design specialized curricula inside established scientific and humanistic programs to gain more transferable skills aside from business management and business administration.

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

Choose an Outstanding Liberal Arts College for Your Business Degree!

More and more American college students are considering and shifting to a business major, such as international business, business administration, business management, and many more.

The main reason more students are taking undergraduate education in business is the opportunity to land entry-level positions in the business world immediately after graduation. However, today’s businesses are rapidly evolving, and employers are looking for business graduates with comprehensive and diverse educational backgrounds.

In the past, it was difficult for students interested in earning a business administration degree to find an undergraduate business program with a diverse mix of classes.

Today, liberal arts colleges are stepping up and offering potential business majors a degree that combines the best of a liberal arts education with a business focus.

This flexible combination helps business graduates land jobs because they are able to adapt and make valuable contributions in multiple areas of business because of the well-rounded education they have received.

A bachelor’s degree in business administration is an excellent starting point for a career in business management, finance, or entrepreneurship. As a business major, you’ll learn basic business theory as well as practical concepts related to sales, marketing, accounting and more. You’ll also have a chance to focus on specific aspects of business, including human resources, hospitality, real estate, entertainment and much more.

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, the business degree is an extremely popular degree because of its versatility. As a business major, you’ll pursue your own concentration—whether your interest is in sales, promotions, international business, or any of the countless other options at your fingertips.

The best schools for business administration are those which are regionally accredited, offer a full array of business administration concentrations, give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.

How To Succeed as a Business Student in a Liberal Arts College

Study for Entrance Exams

Entry exams to liberal arts universities are taken very seriously. Make sure to get ready for the exams that the universities of your choosing accept by checking which exams they accept. You should study and retake the SAT or ACT if your first attempt doesn’t result in a score in the top 50%. Only submit your top grades.

Be Well-Rounded Yet Diverse

A public school and state university won’t seem to care as much about your global citizenship as liberal arts universities do, so you need to establish your versatility.

These liberal arts colleges are frequently small universities with close-knit communities, and they take great satisfaction in turning out graduates seeking to make a positive difference in the world. You must project the image of an ambitious person who enjoys contributing and works.

Keep the Goal In Mind

If you are a returning student, now is the time to implement the plan you made before going back to school.

Students come back for a variety of reasons. Maybe you wish to finish something you started, be a good role model for your kids, or get the training you need to advance in your company. Whatever your motivation, it must remain central to your thoughts during your time in school.

Since you’re in a liberal arts college, take a variety of courses that will develop your soft skills in addition to your technical skills. You can even enroll in dual degree programs. You must have transferable skills to have more competency in the job market.

Get Organized

To succeed you will need to remain on top of your projects and submit them on time, so the days of trying to recall everything from memory are long gone. You can pick a planner that works for your schedule or use free organizational tools. Note all impending tests, homework assignments, and other due dates.

Get Involved in the Community

Colleges of liberal arts seek a giving, selfless mentality. As a result, you should volunteer as much as possible during your junior and senior high school years. Look for volunteer opportunities with groups like the Humane Society, a Big Brother/Big Sister program, or a local tutoring service for less underserved young students.

Make Connections

The relationships you form with peers, professors, and business leaders will be one of the most valuable aspects of your degree. You will benefit from doing this now because you will have classmates with whom you may study, share notes, and seek assistance. However, your network will be most valuable when you graduate.

As you look for new chances, develop, and form your own teams, you will have peers who have evolve into colleagues and other people who will support you in your career.

Frequently Asked Questions About Business Bachelor’s Degrees

Earning a bachelor’s degree in Business administration can open numerous professionals doors. In fact, you can do practically anything with this degree. If you have an interest in project management, marketing, or small business administration, you’ll love majoring in business. Majoring in business is also a great option for students who are interested in learning about retail management, corporate citizenship, entrepreneurship, hospitality, real estate, and much more. In addition to opening numerous career pathways, majoring in business can help prepare you for pursuit of an advanced degree. Many business majors will go on to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

Today, top business influencers are driving innovation through their research on lean startup methods, social marketing, global entrepreneurship, and more.

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, business administration is the single most popular major because of its versatility, as well as the potential for excellent pay. Many of the skills you’ll develop as a business major will be applicable in other areas of life and career. Business majors typically incorporate the kinds of 21st Century skills like collaboration, communication, creative thinking and technological literacy. Even if you don’t plan to start your own business or lead a company, these skills will be valuable as you pursue your professional goals.

The business major also offers students among the best returns on investment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, This median annual wage for business and financial occupations was $69,820 in May 2019, which was significantly higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $39,810.

Once you’ve declared your major in business administration, you will likely be required to complete a set of core courses in a number of business-related subject areas. While your concentration will give you a chance to choose from a wide range of highly-specialized business administration electives, there are a number of common courses that most business administration majors will be required to take, including:

Business Administration
Business Ethics
Accounting and Finance
Commercial Law
Franchising and Franchise Operations
International Finance
Organizational Behavior Studies
Construction Management
Marketing Research
Selling Skills and Sales Operations

The short answer to this question is, whatever you want. Whether you want to run a four-star hotel, start your own boutique shop on Main St., or crunch numbers for a Fortune 500 company, majoring in business is a good starting point. Your business major can lead to a wide range of career opportunities, including these top jobs:

Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you. If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).
Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whehter you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.
Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are aynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.
The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

If you think a research university may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best research universities for a bachelor’s in business.

How do we determine the best business liberal arts colleges?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why we rank the best colleges and universities based on what we call “Influence”.

The influence of a college or university is based on the schools’s top academic influencers related to the discipline in this ranking. We track the influence of faculty and alumni affiliate with these school counting not only the publications and citations of the school’s affiliated people, but we also consider the overall web presence of the faculty and alumni. The greater the citations, authority of web links, web searches, and page views, the greater the individuals’s influence. Those combined make up the departments’s influence in the field of study. We believe tracking the academic influence of the people affiliated with a school is the best indicator of academic excellence.

If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and misused performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is more insulated from manipulation, and more reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Business Degrees

Go to all Liberal Arts Colleges for Business programs

The Best Business Schools in Your State

Learn More About Business

If you want to know more about business, then check out our related content:

Learn how to major in business
Find out who are the most influential people in business today
Explore the the most influential business schools in the world

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Business Degrees in 2023

Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges Business Programs

Key Takeaways

Featured Programs

Choose an Outstanding Liberal Arts College for Your Business Degree!

How To Succeed as a Business Student in a Liberal Arts College

Study for Entrance Exams

Be Well-Rounded Yet Diverse

Keep the Goal In Mind

Get Organized

Get Involved in the Community

Make Connections

Frequently Asked Questions About Business Bachelor’s Degrees

What can I do with a business administration major?

Is business administration a good major?

What courses will I take as a business administration major?

What jobs can I do with a business administration major?

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Business Degrees

Most Influential Alumni

Claremont McKenna College Business Majors

Dual Degree Programs

Most Influential Alumni

West Point Business Management Major Concentrations

Most Influential Alumni

SFSU Business Degrees Offered

Most Influential Alumni

CSU, Long Beach Business Majors:

Most Influential Alumni

University of Richmond Business Majors:

University of Richmond Business Concentrations:

Most Influential Alumni

Trinity University Business Degrees:

Most Influential Alumni

Denison University Business Majors:

Most Influential Alumni

Pitzer College Business Majors:

Most Influential Alumni

Union College Business Majors:

Most Influential Alumni

Manhattan College Business Majors:

Most Influential Alumni

Bentley University Business Majors:

Most Influential Alumni

Bradley University Business Majors:

Most Influential Alumni

Scripps College Business Majors:

Monroe College’s Online Degrees

Most Influential Alumni

SJSU Business Majors:

Most Influential Alumni

Ohio Wesleyan University Business Majors:

Most Influential Alumni

Rollins College Business Majors:

Most Influential Alumni

John Carrol University Business Majors:

Most Influential Alumni

Fairleigh Dickinson Business Degrees:

Most Influential Alumni

University of Portland Business Majors:

Most Influential Alumni

Saint Joseph’s University Business Majors:

Most Influential Alumni

Suffolk University Business Majors and Concentrations:

Most Influential Alumni

Albion College Business Major:

Most Influential Alumni

Niagra University Business Majors:

Most Influential Alumni

High Point University Business Majors:

The Best Business Schools in Your State

Learn More About Business